Detail in Painting...What is that Thing?

[romeo-1]

I picked this painting up at auction today. "Horse Standing Over Deceased Rider". It's an interesting subject matter but what is that in the background and did it have anything to do with the riders death? I first thought a hydro pole but the painting is at least 100 years old. It could be a hydro or telegraph pole but there are no wires and no other poles...plus what is the large grey box at the base of the pole...

Thanks for indulging me!

 

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[Iron Patch]

After about 10 minutes of thinking about this, I can only come up with one idea that seems to fit. The pole is a mile marker, and it's purposely centered because the rider obviously didn't make it to his destination. I really have no idea if there was such a thing back in the day that stood so high.... but that's all I got!

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

If the painting is named that could be a clue to what it is?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

It's a painting - so it is what the artist imagined and felt should be in the painting.

Perhaps a representation of a trail marker (a cross tall enough to mark the trail in the snow)? Or perhaps a trail-side shrine?

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

It almost appears to be an old gas/kerosene street lamp.
Does it not appear to have a flame at the top and the outline of a globe, around it? Like something from Old London type lamp posts.
It does/would kinda seem to be outta place though.
Unless they put it there so the horse would have some light to look at him?

 

[romeo-1]

It almost appears to be an old gas/kerosene street lamp.
Does it not appear to have a flame at the top and the outline of a globe, around it? Like something from Old London type lamp posts.
It does/would kinda seem to be outta place though.
Unless they put it there so the horse would have some light to look at him?

No sign of a flame or globe...I like the idea of trail marker though...

 

[Tony in SC]

End of The Trail. I thought telegraph pole at first, but it's probably a local landmark with meaning only to the locals?? Tony

 

[batcap]

I thought the same. "Death of the Pony Express at the Telegraph Pole". Technology stealing our jobs. "Now how am I supposed to make a living?" Coal miners might paint a similar picture, but they don't have a landscape to work with.

 

[azdave]

Study the details of what is on the horse...tack/equipment. If there is anything to make out there, it may reveal more idea's of the rider and his occupation. Can't tell from the pic.

Many years ago I was a lineman for the telephone company and was farmed out to some remote locations of our Indian reservations to wreck out MANY miles of abandoned telegraph lines that once serviced trading posts and were a now a hazard......I do not believe that is a telegraph pole.
That would appear to me to be a concrete (or similar) base/pedestal. I have worked on more recently placed poles in washes that were "shrouded" in concrete for 3-4' feet to protect from damage by debris/water when the wash was running........but never were any telegraph poles done like that....from the lowest desert locations to the frozen mesa's of the high country.

 

[sutphin]

Looks to me some kind a reference point marker or religious marker where they could stop and asked the gods to watch over there journey. zutphen

 

[Plug N Play]

I think this painting captures the loneliness two friends might feel as they part on the trail.
In this painting by W.D. MacLeod, one soul has left for the light in the sky, while the other must continue on the cold, bleak trail alone.
Perhaps their paths will meet again, and they will be reunited ? ... but not now.




This second painting looks to be by another artist.
The light has become the faint sun peering through the clouds and an added feature has been added.
Is it the Savior, come to meet the soul and guide it along the way?
Or, is it a marker, high above the snow, leading travelers to the the crossing of trails and assuring each that they have found the path that they are meant to be on ?

 

[romeo-1]

Thanks all for the replies...it's been a while since I've checked this thread. It's obvious that the MacLeod painting is the same as mine....most likely my artist copied the subject matter of the MacLeod but maybe it's a MacLeod study...doubtful but dare to dream!