Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

Vincent McPharlin created this watercolour painting, Cigar Store Indian, sometime in the twentieth century. The artist employs a gentle colour palette, with an emphasis on soft greens, reds, and yellows, giving the piece a tranquil feel. This evokes a sense of nostalgia, as if recalling a past era. The painting’s texture seems smooth, almost polished, which adds to the statue’s overall refined appearance. I’m drawn to the way McPharlin has depicted the folds of the figure’s garment. The careful attention to the drape of the cloth demonstrates a dedication to the artistic process. This piece puts me in mind of other works that explore themes of cultural identity, like some pieces by Charles Sheeler. There is a sense of reverence for the past and a fascination with the interplay between representation and reality. Art invites us to contemplate the multiple layers of meaning and interpretation inherent in cultural symbols.