The war paint on this young Native is the color of Sun, a sacred color with divine power. To the Plains warrior, such paint was far more than a means of appearing more ferocious before their enemies; it was also strong medicine used as a protective talisman in battle. The paint’s color and design was chosen to harmonize with each individual warrior’s own purpose, dreams and visions. He would not only paint his face, but his body and horse as well.
Yet, Terpning’s "Color of Sun" is not a story of war but of this Crow brave’s harmony with the land on which he lived. This field bathed with flowers was a place Terpning had once encountered and the vision of it lodged in him waiting for the proper time. Later, when he saw this man and horse it was natural to combine the two, particularly with the horse’s head tipped down toward the flowers.
Edition 175 - secondary market price only as print sold out at issue price.