Buffalo Coat

"Buffalo Coat" vividly depicts the hunting scene of the American bison, a species central to the economy and spiritual practices of Plains Indians before their near-extinction in the late 19th century. The painting captures the intense effort and reverence associated with bison hunting, which became even more significant after the introduction of the horse. Influenced by Romanticism, the artwork emphasizes the primal connection between humans and nature, reminiscent of a Portrait of cultural resilience. The tragic decline of the bison was driven by habitat loss, industrial-scale hunting, and policies aimed at undermining Indigenous livelihoods, marking a dark chapter in American history.