Cigar Store Indian c. 1938

Orville Cline's "Cigar Store Indian" is a watercolor painting created in 1938. The painting depicts a wooden carving of a Native American man, likely meant to be a storefront figure. The figure is depicted in a traditional dress, with a feathered headdress and a stoic expression. The painting captures the detail of the carving, including the painted features and the intricate design of the clothing. Cline's use of watercolor allows for delicate shading and the creation of a realistic depiction of the subject. Cigar store Indians were a popular form of advertising in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and Cline's painting offers a glimpse into this now-forgotten aspect of American history.