Howling Wolf Essay

403 Words2 Pages
Although Howling Wolf’s drawing is seen as naively executed by the standards of Western art, why do we conclude that his record of the treaty signing event is more honest than the illustration rendered by the other artist? Howling Wolf’s drawing is viewed as naively executed by the standards of Western art; I would say that his record of the treaty-signing event is more honest and accurate than John Taylor’s illustration because of his upbringing was totally different. Howling Wolf was engaged in ledger book drawings as a way to document the events that took place in detail. In other words how it really happened. In addition, Howling Wolf created more decorative drawings that portrayed a strong sense of balance, symmetry, and rhythm. Wolf art work was very colorful. His work Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek Depicts the signing of the peace treaty in October 1867 between several Native American Tribes and the U.S. government. Howling Wolf illustrates very specific details such as the women’s braided hair was colored red, the grove where the treaty was a negotiated, identifiable garment, and the intersection of Elm Creek and Medicine Lodge Creek. His depiction of the treaty signing shows that the event was dominated by woman, John Taylor’s illustration was the opposite of Wolf’s painting. Why did the White artist ignore the many native women who were present at the treaty signing? Do you think this omission was deliberate or unintentional due to cultural bias? I believe that John Taylor deliberately omitted the native women who were present at the signing of the treaty that day. I believe that he felt that the native women did not play a significant role in the signing of the treaty. This is opposite of Howling Wolf’s rendering. I believe that John Taylor’s decision was based on cultural bias because he did include one woman, Mrs. Margaret Adams the
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