The Spirit of the Indian (typically associated with Sharp's Plains Indian portraits)
Chromolithographic print / Vintage offset lithograph on textured paperboard • Joseph Henry Sharp (American, 1859–1953); published by The Frederickson Co., Chicago.
Style & Movement
Western American Realism / Taos Society of Artists school.
Medium & Technique
Mechanical printing (lithography) featuring a textured, embossed 'pebbled' surface to mimic canvas; four-color process with stippled dot patterns visible under magnification.
Creation Period
1911 (as per visible copyright date)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 10 inches; Portrait orientation with octagonal or clipped-corner cropping typical of early 20th-century calendar art.
Subject Description
A portrait of a Native American subject, likely a member of the Crow or Sioux tribes. The composition features a soft, atmospheric background with a focus on ethnographic detail in dress and profile, typical of Sharp's 'Sunset' or 'Firelight' series.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible corner wear, adhesive residue on the margin, and age-related oxidation of the paper stock.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced commercial print for the Frederickson Company; likely originally distributed as a premium calendar illustration or decorative art piece for middle-class American homes.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the commercialization of Western Art in the early 20th century. J.H. Sharp was a founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, and these prints helped popularize the 'Noble Savage' archetype in American popular culture.
Notable Features
Features the clear copyright inscription: '© 1911, THE FREDERICKSON CO., CHI.'; includes a printed facsimile signature of J.H. Sharp; prominent 'pebble' texture effect intended to suggest the quality of an original oil painting.
Condition Issues
Clipped/damaged corners, surface abrasions, minor foxing, and yellowing of the white border margins. Possible light fading from UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Mount using acid-free materials; frame under UV-protective glass to prevent further fading; avoid high humidity to prevent warping of the paperboard.