Prince Albert illustrates a combination of the historical and the personal. Made by Arthur Amiotte, a well-respected Lakota artist who has worked in many genres, it combines antique ads, family and published photos, and text in a collage carrying a message of social commentary. Although many of the people depicted in this work are members of Amiotte's family, including his great-grandfather Standing Bear, who performed with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show in front of Queen Victoria and her husband Albert, the central image is that of another well-known Native American, Chief Joseph. His face is being used to advertise Prince Albert brand tobacco. By including this image with the other, more personal photos, Amiotte is noting the use of images of Native American people to sell commercial products, often without their consent.
View Text Item