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Dayton, WA
$325.00
Title
We Just Wanted To Be Free
Artist
Steve Henderson
Medium
Painting - Oil On Canvas
Description
There were few, so few of them left.
The 418 remaining Nez Perce Indians of Chief Joseph’s Wallowa (OR) tribe consisted primarily of elderly, children, infants, women, and very few warriors. In 1877, in a last-ditch effort for freedom, the tribe (then numbering around 800) trekked 1170 miles toward the Canadian border, with the U.S. Army pursuing relentlessly behind them.
For years, the Nez Perce had tried many means to overcome or pacify the aggressive forces of U.S. expansion promoted by financial magnates (the billionaires of the day) who thirsted after the West’s “Indian lands†for the resources there to be exploited. The Nez Perce negotiated. They signed treaties (which the U.S. Government dishonored). They fought. Who wouldn’t, whose lives and families and culture were attacked by a combative, bellicose enemy? The enemy’s goal was to displace at best, but more preferably, destroy.
So in 1877 it came to a head, and the Nez Perce fled to Canada, where they hoped they could find some land, settle, and live out their lives in peace and with dignity.
Forty miles from the border, they were overtaken, captured. This is where, in his famous surrender speech, Chief Joseph declared that he would “fight no more forever.â€
The painting, We Just Wanted to Be Free, is the artist’s view of a time after that surrender, when Chief Joseph's band – the elderly, the children, the infants, women, and very few warriors – were loaded up on trains and shipped out to a reservation in Oklahoma, where many died of disease, illness, exposure and despair.
In the foreground is Chief Joseph, arrayed in full regalia, with an enigmatic look on his face, as if he were saying to the viewer, “What do you think about this?â€
To the left is Edward Curtis, the photographer who captured (an appropriate word) the disappearing indigenous people on camera, at the behest of financial magnates like J.P. Morgan, who wanted a record of their existence, but just a record. Financial magnates cared little for their existence.
The fashionable couple on the right seems unsure of themselves – they suspect there is something wrong with this situation, but like many good people, don’t know what to do or say.
There’s the preacher, holding his Bible and mercifully, for once, silent. The soldiers atop the train stand ready to shoot any insurrectionist who tries to run, even if it were a child.
It is a moment of shame that we need to burn into our hearts, because these things still go on today. And while there is nothing we can do about what happened back then, the descendants of the financial magnates, the warlords, the powerful who continually thirst after lands for their resources to be exploited, live and act and rule today.
History speaks. It spoke then, and it speaks now.
Featured on 24 Fine Art America Groups, including Old West by Southwest.
Social Commentary of the Week, Our World Gallery Group, July 2021
Uploaded
June 30th, 2021
Statistics
Viewed 6,464 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/22/2024 at 7:57 PM
Embed
Sales Sheet
Gary F Richards 4 Days Ago
Punta Gorda, FL - United States
Spectacular We Just Wanted to be Free composition, lighting, shading, colors and artwork! F/L voted
Mena, Ar - United States
Makes me think of chief makin a deal with the white man and bad things are soon to follow because of a image that will be portrayed. Awesome artwork!
Punta Gorda, FL - United States
Passion for freedom is a universal thing, but violations of that freedom like this are heartbreaking! Steve, perfect capture! Fl voted
Steve Henderson replied:
Thank you, Gary, for taking the time to address one our most fundamental concepts: Freedom.
Seattle, Wa - United States
Just came across this wonderful work. What an intricate piece with emotional depth. Love it. L/f
Nelson, BC - Canada
An important piece for our times deserving of much recognition. Your work and description has touched my heart once again. Thank you Steve. L/F
Mayfield, KY - United States
There's one word for this painting, Steve...WOW! How thought-provoking this is. It almost brings one to tears. Great work!
Steve Henderson replied:
Thank you, Buck, for your though-filled words. And, yes, much of our history does bring one to tears and to a desire to never see such history repeated.
Independence, KS - United States
Incredible artistry and story. Let us never forget and remind those who need reminding. Bravo on reaching 1000+ views l/f
Port Orange, FL - United States
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group ..... Please place your featured image in the Feature Archive and any other appropriate Archives l/f/p
San Pedro, CA - United States
Such a magnificent t painting, Steve. As if a diorama at the museum I had seen as a child. If anyone who has been to the Wallowa’s can attest, being driven out would have been soul-crushing.
Sesvete, Eu - Croatia
What a beautiful work to remember. History tells sad stories, but people don't change... l/f/pin/tw
Sarasota, FL - United States
Beautiful artwork to go with this poignant piece of history, Steve. The shame continues ...
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