Cigar Store Indian c. 1936

Walter Hochstrasser's watercolor "Cigar Store Indian" (c. 1936) depicts a standing figure of an indigenous man in a colorful, feathered headdress. He is holding a rifle in his right hand, and his left hand rests on his hip, holding a pipe. The figure is rendered in a realistic style, with attention to detail in the clothing, headdress, and facial features. The painting is a reminder of the popular "Cigar Store Indian" figures that were once commonly found outside of tobacco shops in the United States. This particular work is a fine example of an artistic representation of this familiar cultural symbol.