Cigar Store Indian c. 1938

This watercolor painting, created circa 1938 by an anonymous artist, depicts a "Cigar Store Indian," a type of advertising figure popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The figure is rendered with a focus on detail, highlighting the intricate clothing and headdress of the Native American figure. The artist's use of bold colors, particularly the red, yellow, and green, contributes to the overall sense of vibrancy and spectacle associated with these iconic figures. The painting serves as a record of a bygone era of American advertising and provides insight into cultural perceptions of Native Americans at the time.