The Flute Player
Medium
Painting
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Victor Justice Evans
Accession Number
1985.66.362,047
Tags
bearFigure maleIndiantreeflute
About this artwork
Edwin Willard Deming grew up among the Winnebago Indians and devoted his career to picturing Native Americans as peaceful and noble figures. This scene shows the mythical âIndian Orpheusâ charming wild animals with the sound of his flute. The brightly colored leaves blanketing the ground and the wide eyes of the animals create a magical kingdom far from the nationâs urban centers. With the onset of industrialization, imaginary, romantic views of Native American life were widely collected b...