Large Native American Silkscreen on Vintage Canvas

This is a contemporary silkscreen print of the Native American Quanah Parker, entitled "Trail of Tears." This unique silkscreen depiction of Parker is printed on vintage 20th century canvas, using an early albumen photo of the Comanche Chief as reference for the serigraph. 

This powerful work's title references the Trail of Tears. After Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830, the federal government was given the power to “exchange” Native-held land east of the Mississippi for land to the west, in the “Indian colonization zone” that the United States had acquired as part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. This print honors those who were affected and lost their lives along the Trail of Tears, and the thousands displaced as a part of that policy.

Quanah Parker (1848- 1911) was the son of Chief Peta Nocona and Cynthia Ann Parker. Born in Texas during a period of forced relocation, Quanah grew up participating in raids to protect his homeland. Even in his youth, he established his reputation as an aggressive and fearless fighter and was named a war chief.  In 1874-75, as the last chief of the Kwahadi band, Parker mounted an unsuccessful war against white expansion in the staked plains of northwestern Texas. After surrendering at Fort Sill, Quanah agreed to settle on a reservation in southwestern Oklahoma and persuaded other Comanche bands to conform.

He soon became known as the principal chief of all Comanche. During the next three decades, Parker was the main interpreter of white civilization to his people, encouraging education and agriculture, advocating on behalf of the Comanche, and becoming a successful businessman. Quanah also maintained elements of his own Indian culture and he played a major role in creating a Peyote Religion that spread from the Comanche to other tribes. A national figure, he developed friendships with numerous notable men, including President Theodore Roosevelt, who invited Quanah to his inauguration in 1905. Shortly thereafter Roosevelt visited Quanah at the chief’s home, a 10-room residence known as Star House, in Cache, Oklahoma. 

CONDITION:

Screen print on early 20th century canvas. Canvas has twelve metal grommets at top and bottom. Good condition. Canvas has one patch, one small hole, and one larger reddish brown stain. Unframed, sold as-is. Unframed dimensions: 73" H x 39 1/2" W.