Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Joseph Henry Sharp died in 1953; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2023.
In context
Little Wolf — Joseph Henry Sharp
The original measures 46 × 31 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Shaded: the lifetime of Joseph Henry Sharp (1859–1953) ▲ this work, 1900
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Measured from the image
Main colour
Espresso #322525
Catalogued palette
About this artwork
Little Wolf — Joseph Henry Sharp
The painting Little Wolf by Joseph Henry Sharp is a remarkable example of the artist's ability to capture the essence and spirit of his subjects. Created in 1900, this oil on canvas portrait measures 46 x 31 cm and is currently housed at the National Portrait Gallery in the United States.
Joseph Henry Sharp was an American artist known for his portraits of Native Americans, and Little Wolf is one of his most notable works. The painting showcases the artist's skill in capturing the subtleties of human expression and the intricate details of traditional Native American attire. The subject of the portrait, Little Wolf, is depicted with a serious expression, adorned with a feather in his hair and wrapped in a red blanket.
The painting demonstrates Joseph Henry Sharp's mastery of color and composition. The use of earthy tones and the play of light and shadow create a sense of depth and dimensionality, drawing the viewer's eye to the subject's face. The artist's brushstrokes are bold and expressive, conveying a sense of energy and movement. Key Features of the painting include:
The subject's introspective expression, which seems to convey a sense of wisdom and contemplation
The intricate details of the traditional Native American attire, including the feather in the subject's hair and the patterned blanket
The use of color and composition to create a sense of depth and dimensionality
For more information on Joseph Henry Sharp and his works, visit /art/list/?Filter=AQUPDW-Joseph-Henry-Sharp-Little-Wolf. To learn more about the history of painting and the techniques used by artists like Joseph Henry Sharp, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_painting.
The National Portrait Gallery is home to many notable works, including paintings by other prominent American artists. For more information on the gallery and its collection, visit /art/list/?Filter=A@D3C8QR-The-Museum-Victoria-Art-Gallery-(Bath-United-Kingdom).
Artist and museum
Born in Bridgeport, United States of America
Born: September 27, 1859, Bridgeport, Ohio
Died: August 29, 1953
Parents: Irish immigrant parents; father was a merchant.
Early Fascination: Developed a strong interest in American Indians from a young age.
Hearing Loss: Nearly drowned as a boy, resulting in permanent hearing loss which significantly impacted his education and communication. He learned to read lips and carried a writing pad.
Early Work: Worked in a nail factory at the age of 12 to support his family after his father's death.
McMicken School of Design, Cincinnati: Briefly attended before financial constraints forced him to leave school.
European Studies (1881-1886): Traveled to Europe where he studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium.
Return to Cincinnati & Mentorship: Returned to Cincinnati and worked alongside Henry Farny, though Farny discouraged painting Native Americans.
Royal Academy of Munich: Studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Munich) and later with Frank Duveneck in Italy.
Académie Julian, Paris: Furthered his studies at the Académie Julian in Paris, influenced by Barbizon painters and Impressionists.
Realism & Portraiture: Known for realistic portrayals of American Indians, focusing on their cultural life and individual characteristics.
Influences: Influenced by the Barbizon school and Impressionism, evident in his use of light and shadow and broad brushstrokes.
Key Subjects: Primarily painted portraits of Native American warriors, chiefs, and everyday people, as well as Western landscapes.
Commissioned Work: Received a significant commission from President Theodore Roosevelt to paint 200 portraits of Native American warriors who survived the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Absarokee Hut: Built a cabin (Absarokee Hut) on Crow Agency land in Montana, allowing him extended time to study and depict Native American life.
Taos Society of Artists Founding Member: A founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, considered its "spiritual father."
Smithsonian Institution Acquisition: The Smithsonian Institution purchased eleven of his portraits in 1901.
Phoebe Hearst Patronage: Received significant support from Phoebe Hearst, who acquired over 150 of his works.
Thomas Gilcrease Collection: A large portion of his work and personal collection were purchased by Thomas Gilcrease, now housed at the Gilcrease Institute.
Recognition for Ethnographic Value: Recognized by curator W.H. Holmes for the accuracy with which he portrayed Native American physiognomy and costumes.
Documenting Native American Culture: Sharp's work provides valuable documentation of Native American life during a period of significant cultural change and displacement.
Early Western Artist in Taos: One of the earliest European-American artists to establish a presence in Taos, New Mexico, contributing to its artistic development.
Influence on Southwestern Art: His focus on Native American subjects helped shape the direction of Southwestern art and influenced subsequent generations of artists.
Preservation of Portraiture: Created a significant body of portraiture that captures the likenesses and dignity of individuals from various Native American tribes, preserving their memory for posterity.
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Look closely
Little Wolf — Joseph Henry Sharp
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