Cigar Store Indian c. 1939

This watercolor painting by Robert W.R. Taylor, created around 1939, depicts a "Cigar Store Indian." These figures, often made of wood and painted in bright colors, were a common sight outside tobacco shops in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Taylor’s detailed rendering captures the traditional attire and stoic pose of these iconic figures, highlighting the artistry involved in their creation. The painting serves as a visual record of a bygone era and offers insight into the history of American advertising and popular culture.