Custer Battlefield
SKU N-06-6029
Custer Battlefield
Dimensions: 20" (w) x 28" (h)
The original lithograph is included in two series of lithographs of diverse Nineteenth Century Native Americans by Leonard Baskin (1922-2000). Mr. Baskin's posters and other graphic art are distinguished by a consistently powerful directness in exploring the full range of form and expression. He is known for his bleak portrayals of the human figure. Mr. Baskin pursued an active career in illustrations, design, sculpture as well as teaching. His work is represented in the collections of major museums in the United States and Europe including the National Gallery of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. In addition, his bas-relief, Funeral Cortege, was installed at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, Washington, D.C., in 1997.
Leonard Baskin's interest in nineteenth century Native Americans was roused into profound respect for the wisdom and courage of the Sioux and other Indian Chieftains. In his series of lithographs, Mr. Baskins captured the sense of loss and betrayal felt by these people as well as the despairing and aloof dignity of the nineteenth century chiefs. This lithograph, Sitting Bull-Custer Battlefield, came about when the National Park Service asked Mr. Baskins to provide illustrations for the handbook that described the then called "Custer National Park", now called "Little Big-Horn National Park". Sitting Bull (Tatanka-Iyotanka) was a Hunkpapa Sioux medicine man and leader. The Hunkpapa Sioux, along with the Ogala Sioux, Brule Sioux and the Minneconjou Sioux, were sub-groups of the Lakota or Teton Sioux. On June 25, 1876 at the Little Big-Horn in Montana, Sioux and Southern Cheyenne under Chiefs Sitting Bull, Gaul and Crazy Horse defeated LTC George A. Custer's 7th Calvary in one of the most complete defeats in American military history. Sitting Bull was killed on December 15, 1890.
-- description by Henry Henley
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