A Decoration on Robe 1891

This is a line drawing by Frederic Remington, most likely made near the end of the 19th century. The artist is best known for his depictions of the American West. Here, Remington represents the decorative beadwork adorning a Native American robe. It appears to have been swiftly rendered with pen and ink on paper. The hatching creates both tone and texture, mimicking the play of light on the beadwork’s surface. What's intriguing is Remington's choice to focus on this single motif, isolating it from the garment it would have embellished. Consider what it means to create an image of an object, which itself is made with great skill and labor. By focusing on this material culture, Remington asks us to see the robe not only as ethnographic artifact, but as an intentional aesthetic statement. We might even ask what the relationship is between this drawing and the robe it represents. Ultimately, by paying close attention to materials, making, and context, we can fully appreciate the meaning of this work, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.