Meaning: The quote you've provided is from Frederic Remington, a renowned American artist and sculptor known for his depictions of the American Old West. In this quote, Remington expresses a sense of urgency and a feeling of impending loss as he reflects on the disappearance of the "wild riders" and the "vacant land." He laments that this way of life, which he found so captivating and inspiring, is on the brink of vanishing forever. As he contemplates this, the enormity of the impending change becomes increasingly apparent to him. Feeling compelled to preserve what he can of this disappearing world, he starts to document the scenes and experiences around him, and as he does so, he is struck by the vastness and richness of the world he is capturing.

Frederic Remington was deeply fascinated by the American West and its inhabitants, particularly the Native American tribes, cowboys, and the landscape itself. His work often romanticized and mythologized the Old West, portraying it as a rugged and untamed frontier where man and nature coexisted in a precarious balance. His paintings and sculptures captured the drama, danger, and beauty of this world, and he became known for his ability to convey the spirit and energy of the West in his art.

In the quote, Remington's use of the phrase "vanish forever" conveys a sense of finality and irrevocable loss. He is acutely aware that the lifestyle and environment he has been so captivated by are on the brink of being irrevocably changed or destroyed. This impending disappearance weighs heavily on him, leading him to feel a sense of urgency to document and preserve what he can of this vanishing world.

As he reflects on this, Remington acknowledges that he does not know exactly how to go about capturing and preserving the essence of the disappearing West. Nonetheless, he feels compelled to take action, and so he begins to record the "facts" around him. This could refer to the scenes, people, and experiences that he encountered in his travels through the West. As he does so, he is struck by the depth and richness of the world he is documenting. The more he looks, the more he sees, and the more the panorama of the West unfolds before him.

This quote provides insight into Remington's deep emotional connection to the American West and his profound concern for its future. It reflects his desire to capture and preserve the essence of a world that was rapidly giving way to progress and civilization. Through his art, Remington sought to immortalize the wild and untamed spirit of the West, ensuring that it would not be forgotten as society marched forward into modernity.

In conclusion, Frederic Remington's quote captures his deep sense of loss and urgency as he contemplates the disappearance of the American West. It illuminates his determination to document and preserve what he can of this vanishing world, and it speaks to the profound impact that this untamed frontier had on his art and his soul.