John Taylor Howling Wolf Visual Analysis

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There are many ways used to communicate ideas and beliefs using methods such as paintings, sculpting, written compositions and the like. The of two drawings being compared are depictions of the October 1867 Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek, one done by John Taylor, a journalist hired by Leslie’s Illustrated Gazette and the other done by the Native American artist Howling Wolf, son of the Cheyenne chief Eagle Head. The signing of the peace treaty was between the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and Comanche peoples and the United States government. John Taylor’s illustration is based on sketches done at the scene and Howling Wolf’s depiction was done nearly a decade later while imprisoned at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida. Both drawings, …show more content…

It is done in what looks to be charcoal and paper, emphasizing the foreground portion while gradually shading lighter the mid ground and above ground, producing atmospheric perspective. In contrast, Howling Wolf’s drawing is known as ledger art because the texture he used was ledger paper along with crayons. He utilized great color depicting the different tribes in attendance. There is asymmetrical balance in both drawings, where neither side reflects or mirrors the other. Wolf’s form is abstract and has no linear perspective; no clear focal point. Both artists depict the same overt content in distinct ways. Taylor draws many trees within and surrounding the gathering, in contrast, Wolf draws an almost even number of trees as dwellings, tipis, but he also includes a connecting …show more content…

In contrast, Howling Wolf’s drawing is an illustration of the story being told of the events. He portrays the diversities within the Native-American culture, different tribes and sects and also depicts the symbol of water and its need to co-exist with life, trees, humanity. The illustration of a Native-American with bound hands from behind, while surrounding Anglo-Americans trying to corral a horse, is very telling of the perception the Native-Americans have about the events that occurred. It allows the viewer to conclude that this event was not deemed by the Native-American peoples as a peaceful treaty but instead as take over. The horse being corralled and tied symbolizes the controlling of their freedoms and all that that

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