John Taylor Howling Wolf Visual Analysis

There are many ways used to communicate ideas and beliefs using methods such as paintings, sculpting, written compositions and the like. The of two drawings being compared are depictions of the October 1867 Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek, one done by John Taylor, a journalist hired by Leslie’s Illustrated Gazette and the other done by the Native American artist Howling Wolf, son of the Cheyenne chief Eagle Head. The signing of the peace treaty was between the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and Comanche peoples and the United States government. John Taylor’s illustration is based on sketches done at the scene and Howling Wolf’s depiction was done nearly a decade later while imprisoned at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida. Both drawings,

while illustrating the same event, are telling of very different cultural viewpoints.

John Taylor’s drawing is a form of representational art used in showing actual events.

It is done in what looks to be charcoal and paper, emphasizing the foreground portion while gradually shading lighter the mid ground and above ground, producing atmospheric perspective. In contrast, Howling Wolf’s drawing is known as ledger art because the texture he used was ledger paper along with crayons. He utilized great color depicting the different tribes in attendance. There is asymmetrical balance in both drawings, where neither side reflects or mirrors the other. Wolf’s form is abstract and has no linear perspective; no clear focal point. Both artists depict the same overt content in distinct ways. Taylor draws many trees within and surrounding the gathering, in contrast, Wolf draws an almost even number of trees as dwellings, tipis, but he also includes a connecting

waterway.

The conventions utilized by both artists allow the viewer to determine the differing forms, also giving way to analysis of the works of art. Since Taylor’s drawing illustrates only male attendance, it depicts a male dominated society and the absence of any female gender voice, displaying a clear authoritative role being taken by the Anglo-American side. In contrast, Wolf includes a large number of women, in ceremonious attire, emphasizing detail as in their braided hair. This convention is symbolic in demonstrating the level of commitment and respect the women are given in the Native-American culture. The space portrayed in Taylor’s drawing is limited to the view of the meeting place and the large quantity of males in attendance. Wolf’s depiction seems to be an aerial view of the event; each figure is identifiable through the iconography of the decorations in dress and dwellings. Taylor’s work is ethnocentric in the way that he doesn’t use iconography to describe the different tribes of Native-Americans in attendance; the figures all look the same.

In John Taylor’s drawing, the landscape gives the feeling of shadowing the premise of the actual intentions of the event; which was the signing of a peace treaty amongst diverse cultures.

In contrast, Howling Wolf’s drawing is an illustration of the story being told of the events. He portrays the diversities within the Native-American culture, different tribes and sects and also depicts the symbol of water and its need to co-exist with life, trees, humanity. The illustration of a Native-American with bound hands from behind, while surrounding Anglo-Americans trying to corral a horse, is very telling of the perception the Native-Americans have about the events that occurred. It allows the viewer to conclude that this event was not deemed by the Native-American peoples as a peaceful treaty but instead as take over. The horse being corralled and tied symbolizes the controlling of their freedoms and all that that

entails.

In summary, both John Taylor’s and Howling Wolf’s drawings are wonderful in illustrating diverse, biased cultural views on one event. We are all bound by our culture, and biases. In this instance, it is wonderful to be able to compare and contrast two culturally different illustrations. Overall, we can certainly visualize the passion and thought process behind Howling Wolf’s drawing. The subtle hints he provided in his drawing help the viewer conclude that this particular event had hidden connotations; whereas, John Taylor’s illustration, in its simplicity, provides an event on a given day. He doesn’t provide as much symbolism of the Native-American culture and of what was being felt by those represented there. John Taylor’s account was objective, whereas Howling Wolf’s was more subjective because “his” people were being affected by the event, it became a personal account.