The Honor of Being Pipe Carrier
$1,800.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
A quiet intensity fills this scene — you feel the medicine man's focused presence before anything else. Terpning places him upright in the center, arms raised, mouth open in a chant; his gesture and the feathered staff make his role unmistakable. To his left, a woman leans forward, scattering herbs into a low fire, her careful motion grounding the ceremony in practical care. A patient lies recumbent nearby, the position suggesting rest and trust without needing further explanation. The palette is warm and earthy — ochres, umbers and muted blues — which gives the interior space a hushed, sacred quality. Soft, directional light picks out the men's faces and the textures of hide, feathers and woven cloth, creating a close, intimate atmosphere. Brushwork blends detailed figures with slightly looser background passages so the focus remains on the human ritual. This is a painting about attention and healing: human voices, small gestures and simple tools gathered in a moment meant to restore. It carries a contemplative calm that can bring a sense of presence and respect to a room, like witnessing a private, purposeful act performed with care.
The Artwork
About Medicine Man of the Cheyenne Masterwork Anniversary Canvas)
Medicine Man of the Cheyenne (Masterwork Anniversary Canvas)
MEDICINE MAN OF THE CHEYENNE - The medicine man, a central figure in Plains Indians tribes, was doctor, minister or priest and healer of the body and spirit. Not only did he know about the medicinal use of native plants, but he was trained in ceremonies and chants that were said to wield power for the benefit of an individual or the whole band.
One of the most powerful paintings to emerge from the genre of Western art is Howard Terpnings Medicine Man of the Cheyenne. This classic work shows the medicine man, with a sacred medicine bundle hanging from his shoulder, aided by a woman, as required in the tribe, who drops sweetgrass and herbs into the fire as incense.
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About the Collection
Howard Terpning is one of the most celebrated Western artists, known for his historically rich and emotionally compelling depictions of Native American life. With a deep respect for Plains Indian culture, his paintings capture narrative storytelling in art, bringing history to life through traditional oil paintings. A member of the Cowboy Artists of America, Terpning’s work is recognized for its historical realism and museum-quality craftsmanship. His fine art prints and originals are highly sought after, making him a defining figure in American West painting.
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Image copyright © 2026 by Howard Terpning.
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Quite simply, Howard Terpning is one of the most lauded painters of Western art. His awards are so numerous and he is honored with them so often, that to list them would require changing the count every few months. To name three would be to cite the highest prizes awarded to Western art: countless awards from the Cowboy Artists of America, the Hubbard Art Award for Excellence, the National Academy of Western Art s Prix de West and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gene Autry Museum.
Why such praise? Passion, compassion, devotion and respect for his subject matter, extraordinary talent in palette and brushstroke, an exceptional ability to evoke emotion both in his paintings and from those viewing them — all this and more has made Terpning the "Storyteller of the Native American."
Born in Illinois and educated at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and the American Academy of Art, he first gained attention from some powerful Time and Newsweek covers. Film fans praised his movie posters for such classics as The Sound of Music, Dr. Zhivago and the re-issue of Gone with the Wind.
But his love of the West and Native American traditions saw his transition to fine art. Terpning was a long-time member of the Cowboy Artists of America, which has presented him with Gold and Silver awards, "Best of Show" awards, and "Best Overall Show by a Single Artist" awards more than two dozen times.
His first book, The Art of Howard Terpning won the Wrangler "Outstanding Art Book" award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. Spirit of the Plains People, his second book, was released in 2001 in conjunction with a one-man show at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. A third, Tribute to the Plains People, was released in 2012 to celebrate his retrospective at The Autry National Center in Los Angeles.
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