Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

This watercolor painting by Walter Hochstrasser, created around 1937, depicts a "Cigar Store Indian" - a type of wooden figure that was commonly used as a sign outside of cigar stores in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The painting, with its detailed rendering of the figure's clothing and facial features, likely reflects the artist's fascination with American folk art and his ability to capture the essence of these iconic figures. The "Cigar Store Indian" was a popular motif in American art and culture, representing a blend of Native American imagery and the growing popularity of tobacco in the United States.