Ledger art

Ledger Art is a term for Plains Indian narrative drawing or painting on paper or cloth. Ledger art was primarily from the 1860s to about 1900, although some of the old style drawing continues to the 1930s. There is also a contemporary group of accomplished Native American artists who work in the medium of ledger art. The term comes from the accounting ledger books that were a common source for paper for Plains Indians during the late 19th century.

Historical precedents

Ledger art evolved from Plains hide painting. Among Plains tribes, women traditionally paint abstract, geometrical designs; whereas, men paint representational designs. The men's designs were often heraldic devises or visions painted on shields, tipis, shirts, leggings, or robes. Before the Plains tribes were forced to live on reservations in the 1870s, men generally painted personal feats in battle or hunting. Plains ledger art depicted communally acknowledged events of valor and tribal importance in order to gain status for the individuals who participated in them, and their band and kin. Plains pictorial art emphasizes narrative action and eliminates unnecessary detail or backgrounds. Figures tended to be drawn in hard outlines and filled with solid fields of color.
These were all traditionally painted on animal hides – particularly buffalo hides. When buffalo became scarce after eradication programs encouraged by the US Federal government, Plains artists began painting and drawing on paper, canvas, and muslin.