Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles
available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Ledger Art is a
term for Plains Indian narrative drawing or painting on paper or cloth.
Ledger art was primarily from the 1860s to the 1930s, but also
continuing into the present. The term comes from the accounting ledger
books that were a common source for paper for Plains Indians during the
late 19th century. 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. They frequently painted personal feats in battle or
hunting. 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
and cloth.
