Cigar Store Indian c. 1938

Henry Tomaszewski, a Polish artist born in 1918, created this watercolor titled "Cigar Store Indian." Tomaszewski, active during the mid to late 20th century, lived through times of political upheaval, including World War II and the subsequent communist era in Poland. This context is important when considering his engagement with American imagery like the cigar store Indian. The cigar store Indian, an icon of commercial America, was often used to attract customers to tobacco shops. Typically, these sculptures perpetuate stereotypical representations of Indigenous peoples. In this watercolor, Tomaszewski seems to be playing with the romanticized yet stereotypical image, inviting questions about cultural appropriation and representation. What does it mean for a Polish artist to depict an American commercial icon based on Indigenous stereotypes? This artwork serves as a poignant reflection on cultural exchange, the power of representation, and the complex layers of identity and history.