Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

This painting by Walter Hochstrasser, created around 1937, depicts a "Cigar Store Indian," a common fixture in 19th and early 20th-century American shops. These wooden figures, often hand-carved, were originally used to attract customers to tobacco stores. This painting captures the iconic pose of the figure, adorned with a feathered headdress and a traditional garment, as if standing guard over a storefront. The realistic details and vibrant colors of the painting give the impression of a three-dimensional sculpture, creating a nostalgic connection to a bygone era.