“Branded Horse” by DeCost Smith is a poignant study in strength, survival, and silence. Rendered in muted earth tones against a pale, textured backdrop, this oil painting reflects Smith’s deep connection to Native cultures and frontier life. The solitary stance of the horse—marked by the physical legacy of ownership—evokes both dignity and wear. Smith, a chronicler of the American West, lends sensitivity and restraint to his brushwork, allowing the subject to speak without spectacle. Framed in an ornate gilt surround, this piece stands as both artifact and elegy—an intimate portrait of endurance in a fading era.