Cigar Store Indian 1935 - 1942

Flora Merchant's "Cigar Store Indian" (1935-1942) is a watercolor painting depicting a figure standing on a platform and holding a bundle of cigars. Cigar store Indians were a common sight in the 19th century, and Merchant’s painting captures the colorful detail of these figures, which were often made of wood and painted in bright colors. This artwork reflects the visual culture of the era, and Merchant’s meticulous detail is evident in the figure’s clothing, headdress, and the cigars. The painting also showcases the artist's skill in capturing the texture of wood and the vibrancy of the figure's paint.