Painting of Indian Wearing a Chief Blanket by Jerry Ingram

This striking painting by Jerry Ingram captures the timeless presence and dignity of a Native American figure wrapped in a chief's blanket, playing a drum. The mastery of this painting reveals itself gradually. Slightly off-center, the figure stands in quiet strength, adorned in meticulously detailed regalia. The blanket's horizontal patterning creates a rhythmic visual effect, harmonizing with the light sienna wash of the background. Every detail, from the leggings and moccasins to the carefully rendered transition of white to cream colors in the headdress, has been thoughtfully composed to draw the eye to the subject's face — the undeniable focal point of the piece.

Jerry Ingram was born in Battiest, Oklahoma in 1941.  As a member of the Choctaw Nation, Ingram studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe before earning a B.A. from Oklahoma State Technical Institute in 1966. With a career spanning decades, he has become a sought-after artist known for his ability to convey the spirit and traditions of the Northern Plains tribes.

Signed in the lower left corner with Ingram's distinctive signature and hallmark, this painting is a testament to his deep respect for Native American heritage and his exceptional artistic skill.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: This Painting of Indian Wearing a Chief Blanket by Jerry Ingram is from the estate of an Adobe Gallery client.

Recommended Reading: The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters by Patrick Lester

TAGS: Choctaw, Cherokee, Native American Paintings, Plains Indians, Jerry Ingram, textiles, Navajo Nation