Original Ledger Art: Running Hard

Ledger drawings came about in the mid-1800's as a result of the decimation of the bison herds across the continent. Native Americans had traditionally used hides to render pictographic drawings onto in order to record events. With no access to hides, Native peoples turned to ledger books as the surface onto which they could record their images. In modern times, this historic medium has become an art form for Native American artists to continue.

In "Running Hard," Lakota ledger artist, Don Montileaux depicts two bison thundering across the page. Using colored pencil and ink, the vibrant colors add to the dynamic energy of the piece. The ledger paper that the artist used is dated 1909 and the finished piece is custom-framed with conservation materials.

Dimensions:

Frame: Width 20.5 | Height 15.75 (inches)
Image: Width 12.25 | Height 7.5 (inches)

All measurements are approximate.