Warrior Society Dance
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.Originally joined along the bottom in a ledger book, these two drawings depict a warrior society dance. The men dance in a circle or a continuous line, accompanied by singing and the resounding beat of hoop-shaped rattles. The works also present an early attempt to create authentic portraits: the individualized facial features, clothing, and ornaments on each figure would have made him instantly recognizable to his comrades. Together these warriors fought, hunted, and celebrated their victories.
Artwork Details
- Title: Warrior Society Dance
- Artist: Attributed to Artist A (Henderson Ledger) (Native American, Arapaho, active ca. 1870–90) , also identified as Horseback
- Date: ca. 1880
- Geography: United States, Oklahoma
- Culture: Arapaho
- Medium: Paper, graphite, colored pencil
- Dimensions: Length: 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
Width: 12 3/8 in. (31.4 cm) - Classification: Paper-Drawings
- Credit Line: Private Collection
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing