Who painted I Will Tell the White Man?

I Will Tell the White Man was painted by Frederic Remington in 1900.

Where can I see I Will Tell the White Man?

I Will Tell the White Man is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is I Will Tell the White Man?

I Will Tell the White Man is associated with American Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of I Will Tell the White Man?

Museum-quality prints of I Will Tell the White Man are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

I Will Tell the White Man

Frederic Remington , 1900

I Will Tell the White Man is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Frederic Remington. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

Frederic Remington’s oil painting I Will Tell the White Man, completed in 1900, is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. The work presents a nocturnal gathering of Native American figures arranged in a circle around a central fire, creating a focused, intimate tableau that draws the viewer into the scene’s quiet tension.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre of the composition stands a man in a loincloth and feathered headdress, clutching a spear while the surrounding figures sit on the ground, some wrapped in blankets. Their collective gaze toward the central figure suggests a moment of storytelling or ritual, emphasizing communal attention and the transmission of knowledge within the group.

Technique & Style

Remington employs a realistic approach, rendering textures such as fur, cloth, and the flickering firelight with meticulous detail. The chiaroscuro effect of the fire’s glow against the surrounding darkness heightens the facial expressions and the tactile quality of the figures, underscoring the artist’s skill in manipulating light to convey atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created at the turn of the twentieth century, I Will Tell the White Man reflects Remington’s ongoing interest in the American West and its peoples. The painting entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s holdings through acquisition (date of acquisition not specified), where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of Western art.