Cigar Store Indian c. 1941

Sydney Roberts' "Cigar Store Indian" (c. 1941) is a watercolor painting depicting a traditional "Indian" figure, a common sight in American cigar stores during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The figure, rendered in a realistic style, stands atop a platform with wheels, holding a tomahawk in his right hand. The painting highlights the decorative and commercial aspects of these figures, which were often used to attract customers and represent a romanticized view of Native American culture. Roberts, a prolific American artist known for his genre paintings, captured the detailed craftsmanship and visual appeal of these iconic figures.