Cigar Store Indian c. 1940

J. Herman McCollum made this drawing of a Cigar Store Indian, using what seems to be sepia ink or watercolor to describe both the figure and its cast shadow. It’s a really interesting study in how a sculptor might see his subject from multiple angles. The marks are so confident, with varying degrees of opacity that bring out the three-dimensional form of the sculpture. Look how McCollum’s handled the details of the figure: the fringe of the skirt, the feather in his headdress. The highlights suggest a polished surface, maybe bronze. McCollum is a master of light and shade, and his rendering gives the sculpture a real presence. The artist also seems fascinated with the history of making, echoing the sculpture with sketches of its possible source. It makes me think of Guston, another artist who borrowed imagery, and the dialogue artists have across time. Ultimately, this piece leaves you with more questions than answers, which is, I think, a good thing in art.