Coup, the act of touching and not killing an opponent in battle, was regarded as the highest act of bravery and skill in the face of the enemy. It brought prestige and honor to the Plains warrior that accomplished it. And no artist comes close to counting coup on Frank McCarthy when it comes to capturing the dynamic power and drama of the Old West.

The victorious Indian in war bonnet is about to touch a fallen enemy with his coup stick. Feathers in the war bonnet, stripes across the horse’s nose or the feathers in its tail may represent past coups. The lightning streak from shoulder to neck is to give the horse speed and energy in battle. The hoof marks painted across the hips denote horse raids.

McCarthy's paintings have gained legions of admirers among art lovers and critics alike. Whether his subjects are Native Americans, mountain men, cavalry or cowboys, McCarthy's work, its intensity and vision of the American West has endured.