Indian Girl 1916

Robert Henri's "Indian Girl" is an oil painting, completed at an unknown date, that invites a look into early 20th-century American portraiture and its complex relationship with cultural identity. Henri was part of the Ashcan School, artists known for depicting daily life, often focusing on marginalized communities. The sitter’s gaze confronts us directly, yet her identity remains somewhat elusive, named only by her ethnicity. During this period, there was a growing fascination with, and romanticization of, Native American culture, coupled with the harsh realities of displacement and assimilation. The vibrant red of the blanket contrasts with the dark background, drawing our eye to the figure. It’s hard not to consider questions of representation: How does Henri, as a white artist, frame the identity of this young woman? What are the power dynamics at play when one culture attempts to capture another? Henri’s work prompts us to reflect on the act of seeing and being seen, of naming and being named, and the ongoing dialogue between identity and representation.