Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

Alice Stearns painted this “Cigar Store Indian” with watercolor and graphite. The Native American figure, adorned with feathers, evokes a complex history of cultural representation. Historically, these figures stood as symbols of the "exotic other," beckoning customers with the promise of New World tobacco. The feathers, a potent symbol of Native American identity, signal power. Yet, in this commercial context, they become a mere marketing tool. We see echoes of this appropriation throughout history. Consider the use of indigenous imagery in advertising, a trend that continues even today. There is a latent psychological tension at play, as these images both attract and, in some way, disquiet us. The image becomes a mirror reflecting our own cultural biases and desires, inviting us to consider the cyclical nature of how cultures represent one another. This process continues to shape our perceptions and interactions.