Moses Stranger Horse facts for kids
Moses Stranger Horse (1890–1941) was a talented Lakota artist. He was known for his realistic paintings. Moses was from the Brulé Lakota people, who live on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
Early Life and Learning
Moses Stranger Horse was born in 1890 near Wood, South Dakota. When he was 21, he went to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. There, he took art classes from Angel De Cora. She was a famous Ho-Chunk painter. Angel De Cora believed that Native people could be proud of their culture and also succeed in the wider world through art.
Time in Europe
During World War I, Moses joined the American Expeditionary Force. He was stationed in Paris, France. After the war ended, he decided to stay in Paris. He wanted to continue studying art. In Paris, he learned how to paint with oil paints in a very realistic style.
Becoming an Artist
When Moses returned to South Dakota, he started painting amazing pictures of his homeland. Sometimes, his paintings showed early Lakota people. He also loved to paint Native cowboys and ranch workers. Besides using oil paints, Moses Stranger Horse also created many drawings.
Sharing His Art
Moses traveled all over the United States. He showed off his painting skills at fairs and rodeos. He could do incredible things, like painting with both hands at the same time. He could even paint with the canvas upside-down! His artist name was "Sundown." He showed his work at the 1939 New York World's Fair. People from all backgrounds, both Native and non-Native, loved his art.
Legacy
Moses Stranger Horse passed away in 1941 on the Rosebud Reservation. You can find his artwork in several places. Some of his paintings are at the Red Cloud Heritage Center in Pine Ridge. Others are at The Journey Museum in Rapid City, South Dakota. Moses Stranger Horse was one of the first modern Sioux artists to fully learn and master the art styles of the non-Native world. He did this while still honoring his own culture.
