Cigar Store Indian c. 1936

Editor: So this is "Cigar Store Indian," a watercolor drawing made around 1936 by Henry Granet. The rendering of the figure is quite intriguing; what visual elements strike you most in this composition? Curator: Immediately, the interplay of line and color arrests my attention. Consider the subtle gradations in the red of the figure's robe, juxtaposed with the flatter, more graphic rendering of the skirt. These formal devices speak volumes about Granet’s engagement with surface and depth, would you agree? Editor: Absolutely. It almost seems to flatten the figure and push it forward simultaneously. I'm also wondering about how to relate Granet's color choice with its probable folk-art style reference. Curator: Precisely. Note also the economy of line in the rendering of the feathers and face, contrasted with the comparatively elaborate folds of the garment. This careful articulation of contrasting elements generates visual interest while also hinting at the figure's symbolic presence. Is that something you considered when first viewing it? Editor: I did notice the feather rendering, now that you point it out, that seems significant. It draws attention to the graphic versus more realistic components of the painting. It definitely presents itself more as a stylized icon than a direct representation of an object. Curator: A distinction worth emphasizing. Granet’s formalism offers a rigorous method to interpret its surface dynamics and representational function within folk-art drawing. It is certainly worthwhile examining further examples in a similar vein. Editor: Yes, thinking about this through the perspective of formalism has certainly changed my initial take, from a surface appreciation of the figure to a deeper look at technique and symbolism.