The Honor of Being Pipe Carrier
$1,800.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
You notice the quiet camaraderie before you rather than a triumphant scene. Three figures sit close on wind-bleached grass, each absorbed in the small, human pleasure of examining spoils found after conflict: a cavalry hat, a dispatch case, a bugle. The composition’s intimacy comes from the tight grouping and the way their gestures lead to one another — a hand turned over a leather case, a thoughtful gaze, the bugle held like a prized story to be told. Terpning’s palette is muted but warm, the ochres and soft greens of the plain set against the cooler sky, which gives the moment both earthiness and a distant calm. Textural brushwork describes worn clothing and weathered faces without sentimentality; you feel the fatigue of the day and the quiet humor of men comparing trophies. It’s an unvarnished human vignette that honors small rituals of pride and memory rather than grand heroics, leaving a gentle, reflective presence in the room.
The Artwork
About Found on the Field of Battle
FOUND ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE (MASTERWORK CANVAS EDITION)
"This is another tight grouping of three men similar to 'The Long Shot,' with approximately the same scale of the figures in relation to the surrounding area. This type of composition can tell a story very well and the viewer can see the story immediately. These three Cheyenne warriors have been in a battle with the cavalry and in the aftermath of the conflict they were able to find trophies on the ground that they prized highly. One man wears a cavalry hat, another has found a dispatch case which will no doubt be converted into something more to his liking and the third man has a bugle, which will give him bragging rights. Finding trophies on the field of battle is something that has gone on since battles were fought and this is my interpretation of such an experience."
Collector Details
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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.
Artist Signature
Signed by the artist
This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Howard Terpning.
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Authenticity & Documentation
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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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