Interpretive Art:
Examples of Paintings and Sketches
by Martin Pate

Refer to Chapter 4 of Ancient Muses
(Martin Pate)

Click on an image for a high quality version.
(For explanations of time periods, visit the SEAC website at http://www.cr.nps.gov/seac/)

Paintings of the Prehistoric Period

Painting depicting an historic Indian village along the Savannah River.

Left pointing arrow.Rucker's Bottom Mississippian Village

 Painting depicting an Indian camp scene along the Savannah River.


Paintings based on archaeological work conducted along the Savannah River in Georgia and South Carolina.

Sara's RidgeRight pointing arrow.
Archaic Period
Painting depicting American Indians manufacturing pottery in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

Left pointing arrow.Carolina Potters
 Woodland Period

 Painting depicting early Americans sitting around a campfire in the Sandhills of North Carolina.


Paintings commissioned by the U.S. Army, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The StorytellerRight pointing arrow.
PaleoIndian camp scene
Painting depicting an American Indian camp scene in Wyoming.

Left pointing arrow.Famcamp Archaeological Site   
Plains Woodland camp scene

 

 


Black and white sketch of the Watson Brake mound site in Louisiana.


Painting based on archaeological work, commissioned by F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.

Watson BrakeRight pointing arrow.
Archaic Period Mound
(pencil sketch)

Painting depicting prehistoric American Indians mining gypsum salts in a Kentucky cave.

Left pointing arrow.Prehistoric Miners
ca. 1000 B.C.E.


Painting based on archaeological work conducted at Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.


Paintings of the Historic Period

Battle of Monroe's Crossroads (Ft. Bragg, North Carolina)
10 March, 1865
Painting depicting Confederate troops tracking Union Cavalry in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

Left pointing arrow.Tracking the Federals
Painting depicting Confederate troops waiting for the call to attack.

Paintings commissioned by the U.S. Army, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Waiting for DawnRight pointing arrow.
Painting depicting a surprise raid on a Union camp.

Left pointing arrow.Cavalry!
Painting depicting a Union soldier firing a cannon at advancing Confederate troops.

Paintings based in part on archaeological fieldwork conducted at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Firing CanisterRight pointing arrow.
Painting depicting Union troops holding the line against Confederate attacks.

Left pointing arrow.Holding the Line
Painting depicting Confederate troops searching for the Union general.

Paintings based in part on archaeological fieldwork conducted at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Where is General
Kirkpatrick?Right pointing arrow.


Little Bighorn Battlefield, Montana
25 June, 1876
Painting of the Indian encampment.

Left pointing arrow.Indian Village
Painting depicting Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors pursuing Federal troops.

Paintings based in part on archaeological fieldwork conducted at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana.

Deep Coulee RetreatRight pointing arrow.
Painting depicting a surrounded Federal force at Finkle/Findley Ridge.

Left pointing arrow.Finkle/Findley Ridge
Painting depicting a retreating Federal force at the Keogh/Crazy Horse fight location.

Paintings based in part on archaeological fieldwork conducted at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana.

Keogh/Crazy Horse FightRight pointing arrow.

Painting depicting Federal soldiers caught in Deep Ravine.

Left pointing arrow.Deep Ravine

"Here, Captain, you had better take a look through the glasses." Painting depicting Captain Weir and U.S. soldiers scouting locations of adversaries at Little Big Horn.

Paintings based in part on archaeological fieldwork conducted at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana.

 

Weir PointRight pointing arrow.
Painting depicting the retreart of Major Reno's troops after a failed attack at the south end of the Indian encampment.

Left pointing arrow.River Crossing/Reno Retreat
Painting based in part on archaeological fieldwork conducted at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana.

  


Others
Painting depicting children playing marbles in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

Left pointing arrow.Marble Game

Painting commissioned by Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Loading Meal at EelbeckRight pointing arrow.
Painting based on archaeological fieldwork, commissioned by the U.S. Army, Fort Benning, Georgia