Cigar Store Indian 1935 - 1942

Victor F. Muollo created this artwork called Cigar Store Indian with a medium of graphite and watercolor. The composition features a figure placed centrally, its verticality emphasized by the columnar shape of the figure which is sharply contrasted against the flat background. The palette is muted, dominated by earthy browns and soft blues which evoke a sense of melancholy, perhaps inviting contemplation on themes of cultural representation. The piece challenges established meanings by repurposing a commercial icon within the aesthetic space of fine art. Muollo’s choice of medium, watercolor, adds a layer of ethereality and contrasts with the robust physicality typically associated with wooden cigar store figures. The base which the figure stands on destabilizes the artwork, and the wheels could symbolize an evolution in the meaning and perception of cultural artifacts, suggesting a world in motion. The piece invites us to reflect on how cultural symbols are created, consumed, and re-evaluated over time.