Joe Scheuerle (American, 1873-1948), Old Bear Crow

Watercolor on paper, depicting Old Bear Crow, and signed as such u.r, dedicated l.l. To Dr. and Mrs. Morris/ with best wishes-. Additionally signed J. Scheuerle/1938 Crow Agency Mont.; 12 x 8.5 in.

The reverse inscription, presumably written by the artist, provides wonderful insight into Scheuerle's work. In the early and middle part of the 20th century, many photographers and artists alike felt compelled to depict the American Indian with accuracy, in order to preserve a people that were rapidly vanishing. The example offered here is strikingly similar to the work of E.A Burbank (1858-1949), or perhaps Winold Riess (1886-1953), artists who executed many portraits in the second quarter of the 20th century. The portraits are similar to photographs in many respects, where titles or sitters were listed in the upper margins.

The inscription is as follows:

Old Bear Crow
Crow Agency, Mont., July 1938
A Grand old type, the Crow, belong to the Sioux linguistic stock, and are a fine looking people, large stature in man, the women tend to get very ''heavy''- About 1000 left.

We couldn't keep his mouth closed, so had to paint him with his mouth open

The watercolor is taped to the matting from reverse, otherwise the painting has been under glass in has very little toning or foxing.