Warrior Artists [Hardcover]

Herman Viola (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

A unique treasury of Indian artistry, and a visual record of an important chapter in American history. T his is an historical facsimile of an authentic ledger art bo ok that communicates the history of a unique art form, along with its subject matter. '

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

At the tail end of Indian fighting in the West, the U.S. government sent 72 Plains Indians to be interned at Fort Marion, in St. Augustine, FL. During the three years that these prisoners were held as hostages for their tribes, their officer, Capt. Richard Pratt, thought of imaginative crafts they could sell to improve their lot. Over 20 artists created ledger books filled with drawings, one of which is reproduced here. The book is the work of two artists: Making Medicine, a Cheyenne who drew lively and expressive scenes of Plains life, and Zotom, a Kiowa, who offered detailed, three-dimensional scenes that are almost a diary of his travels. Not a facsimile reproduction, this book includes explanatory (and sometimes obvious) comment on each scene and an interesting historical preface. A frequent writer on Native American issues, Viola is curator emeritus for the Smithsonian. Fine but somewhat specialized; recommended for extensive Native American or arts and crafts collections.?Gay Neale, Southside Virginia Community Coll. Lib., Alberta
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792273702
• ISBN-13: 978-0792273707
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,428,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent drawings portray Native American history, May 8, 1998

By 

Sandra Sunderland - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warrior Artists (Hardcover)

This 8" by 11" volume contains illustrations of drawings by two extremely talented artists who were among the Fort Marion prisoners from 1875-1878; Making Medicine, a 33 year old Cheyenne and Zotom, a 24 year old Kiowa. The drawings are a full page size and the colors are beautiful and intense. The drawings combined with the commentary by Joe and George Horse Capture provide wonderful insights into the history of these two native nations as well as a better understanding of the Indians' experiences at Fort Marion. It also provides further awareness of the factors that motivated Col. Pratt to establish the Indian school at Carlisle.