Pretty Mother of the Night—White Otter is No Longer a Boy 1900

“Pretty Mother of the Night—White Otter is No Longer a Boy” was painted by Frederic Remington, an artist who lived between 1861 and 1909. Remington was an American artist, who often depicted the Old West, particularly images of cowboys, soldiers, and Native Americans. His work reflects the romanticism and idealism that many white Americans held about the West. Yet at the same time it obscures the violence, displacement, and cultural destruction that accompanied westward expansion. Here we see two Native American men on horseback, beneath a starlit sky. One man raises his arms in what appears to be a gesture of prayer or reverence. The painting captures a sense of spirituality and connection to the land, but it also simplifies the complexities of Native American life. Consider the role of this artwork in shaping perceptions and perpetuating stereotypes about Native Americans. What feelings does this evoke for you?