Portrait of an Indian with Rifle, Post-Impressionist Oil on Canvas

This dignified portrait of an Indian with a rifle was most likely painted when Walt Louderback was in Paris in the early part of the twentieth century. The word Paris is indistinctly written on the verso. Pulling from Post-Impressionist painting styles of the day, Louderback describes the sitter in quick, brushstrokes with areas of heavy impasto. His composition is structured into large areas of color that contrast with the adjoining areas, forming a painting that is as abstract as it is representational. Although stoic-looking, the sitter's gaze reveals his emotional depth and strength. The large white area in the lower left of the composition may have been left vacant so an Art Director could place type over it. If that was the case, then this was an assignment painting done for a publication. Signed lower left. Overall condition is good. The canvas has surface irregularities and some undulations. There is uneven varnish, with some yellowing, mostly visible on close inspection. A light cleaning would make the painting sing.