CECILE BOY

Lochrie, Elizabeth (1890-1981)

Pastel/Tempera

1934

Gift of the Artist

1979.12.29

Butte artist Elizabeth Davey Lochrie (1890-1981) was a renowned portraitist specializing in Native American subjects. She gifted many of her works to the Montana Historical Society's collections in 1979. The subject of this piece, Cecile Black Boy-whose name in the Siksika language was Noomohtsiistaapitapi Sstaniiniki (Tobacco Pod Woman) collected hundreds of Blackfeet stories for the Montana Writer's Project from 1939-1942. Her work to preserve this heritage is remarkable, and she is representative of the characters Lochrie most enjoyed painting. Lochrie wrote that it was "inspiring to attempt catching [Native Americans'] dominant spirit on canvas … Each Indian I paint I see as an individual not as a racial type and since most show a strong personality it makes them especially interesting subjects to portray." This piece showcases Lochrie's talent. It also honors Black Boy and other tribal members, past and present, who work to preserve their own cultures.

Blackfeet