Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

Arthur Mathews made this watercolor painting of a Cigar Store Indian and it's wild to think about the context it was made in. I imagine Mathews carefully building up the colors, the ochres of the wood grain, and the bright red and greens of the figure's clothing, almost like he's trying to capture the spirit of the original sculpture. The textures here are subtle, with thin washes of paint creating depth and form. The figure has a feeling of dignity and strength, but I can't help but wonder about the complicated history behind these objects. What was it like to paint something that’s both a representation of cultural heritage and a symbol of commercial exploitation? Mathews seems to be in conversation with the folk art of the cigar store indian, and I wonder how he felt about that. To me, that's what makes it so compelling – a blend of admiration, appropriation, and maybe even a bit of unease, all captured in watercolor.