Olaf Carl Seltzer (1877–1957) was a Danish-born American painter celebrated for his vivid depictions of the American West. Born in Copenhagen, Seltzer immigrated to the United States with his mother in 1886, settling in Great Falls, Montana. There, he was deeply influenced by the majestic western landscapes and the vibrant frontier life that surrounded him. Though largely self-taught, Seltzer’s artistic talents were nurtured through his friendship with famed Western artist Charles M. Russell, with whom he occasionally sketched and painted.

Seltzer worked for many years as a machinist with the Great Northern Railway while painting in his spare time. After Russell’s death in 1926, Seltzer increasingly devoted himself full-time to painting, producing an extensive body of work—over 2,500 paintings and illustrations—focused on cowboys, Native Americans, wildlife, and frontier life. His attention to detail and historical accuracy made his work popular with collectors and historians alike. Seltzer also illustrated books and worked on commission for major institutions, including the Great Northern Railway and the Federal Writers’ Project.