Cigar Store Indian

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the National Gallery of, where John Davis's *Cigar Store Indian*c. 1937) captures a vibrant slice of American folk art history. This detailed watercolor, colored pencil, graphite rendering on paper (46.8 x 29.8 cm) depicts a classic wooden trade figure once ubiquitous outside tobacco shops in the 19th and 20th centuries. life-sized statues, often carved to resemble Native Americans holding cigars or tobacco bundles, symbolized the plant's indigenous origins while serving as eye-catching advertisements in an era before modern signage. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a Federal Art Project under the WPA (1935–1942)—Davis's work meticulously documents disappearing examples of everyday American craftsmanship. The Index commissioned artists nationwide to produce precise, colorful studies of folk objects, preserving their cultural essence for future generations. Davis's masterful use of layered watercolor for rich tones, colored pencil for fine details like feathers and beads, and graphite for sharp outlines exemplifies the project's goal of scholarly accuracy blended with artistic flair. This piece highlights the romanticized portrayal of Native Americans in popular culture and the ingenuity of vernacular design. Today, it reminds us how ordinary objects reflect broader social histories, inviting reflection on commerce, identity, and artistic preservation.