thum_derect

Alaskan Eskimo Life in the 1890s

As Scetched by Native Artists

i-611. Drawing Walrus Ashore. Using native block and tackle. Pencil, ink, and crayon; 9x12.

Here, the effectiveness of the Eskimo pulley system is quite evident. A large walrus is being hoisted onto the ice. In addition to the technical aspects of this scene, the artist has taken pains to indicate certain physical traits of the Eskimo men: the tonsure-type hairstyles and the lip incisions for labrets so characteristic of natives of the northern Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean areas.

i-621. A panorama of bear hunting. Pencil, ink, and crayon; 4.75x7.75.

This scetch depicts several series of events or various situations arising in encounters with bear. The bear in the top sequence appear to be polar bear (as indicated by the artist), but the color shading on the others may have been intended to represent brown bear, an inland species. The top sequence emphasizes the role of dogs in the pursuit and dispatching of a polar bear. Of particular interest in this sequence are the design of the sled, harness arrangement of the dogs, use of the lance, and the Eskimo riding on the sled. All of these elements strongly suggest Siberian influence. The artist may have been familiar with St. Lawrence Island, where a number of such similarities also can be found. The bottom sequence seems to indicate a bow failure that resulted in use of a lance.

i-651. Filling Skin-Bottles with Berries and Oil. Ink and crayon; 7.25x9.5.

Seal skins, with the hair removed, are being filled with a mixture of berries and oil, a preserve which the Eskimo considered a delicacy and saved for use in winter or on special accasions.

i-652. Hauling-up an umiak. Pencil and crayon; 4.75x7.75.

In this summer scene nine Eskimos are transporting an umiak to higher ground. The features and costumes of the individuals have been carefully drawn. The single vertical tattoo on the woman's chin implys she is youthful. There seems to be a suggestion of conversation between the two men standing near the umiak's bow. Possibly, the man in the ankle-length parka is greeting some new arrivals to a summer encampment. The canvas tent nearby verifies that the season is summer.

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	i-611. Drawing Walrus Ashore. Using native block and tackle. Pencil, ink, and crayon; 9x12. Here, the effectiveness of the Eskimo pulley system is quite evident. A large walrus is being hoisted onto the ice. In addition to the technical aspects of this scene, the artist has taken pains to indicate certain physical traits of the Eskimo men: the tonsure-type hairstyles and the lip incisions for labrets so characteristic of natives of the northern Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean areas.
	i-621. A panorama of bear hunting. Pencil, ink, and crayon; 4.75x7.75. This scetch depicts several series of events or various situations arising in encounters with bear. The bear in the top sequence appear to be polar bear (as indicated by the artist), but the color shading on the others may have been intended to represent brown bear, an inland species. The top sequence emphasizes the role of dogs in the pursuit and dispatching of a polar bear. Of particular interest in this sequence are the design of the sled, harness arrangement of the dogs, use of the lance, and the Eskimo riding on the sled. All of these elements strongly suggest Siberian influence. The artist may have been familiar with St. Lawrence Island, where a number of such similarities also can be found. The bottom sequence seems to indicate a bow failure that resulted in use of a lance.
	i-651. Filling Skin-Bottles with Berries and Oil. Ink and crayon; 7.25x9.5. Seal skins, with the hair removed, are being filled with a mixture of berries and oil, a preserve which the Eskimo considered a delicacy and saved for use in winter or on special accasions.
	i-652. Hauling-up an umiak. Pencil and crayon; 4.75x7.75. In this summer scene nine Eskimos are transporting an umiak to higher ground. The features and costumes of the individuals have been carefully drawn. The single vertical tattoo on the woman's chin implys she is youthful. There seems to be a suggestion of conversation between the two men standing near the umiak's bow. Possibly, the man in the ankle-length parka is greeting some new arrivals to a summer encampment. The canvas tent nearby verifies that the season is summer.