THE BLACKFOOT DRESS AND CHARLIE RUSSELL COWBOY ARTIST

Cowboy artist Charlie Russell collected authentic Blackfoot womens wear along with other everyday Indian objects, such as a backrest, peace pipe and jewelry. He would have his models dress up in the clothing and jewelry and have them pose for him. He also would dress up in garb and be photographed. Here is a picture of Charlie Russell and his Blackfoot model Josephine Wright who was not only his model but also lived in his household with his wife Nancy Russell when they moved to Great Falls shortly after Charlie and Nancy married.

Charlie was also a creature of habit. The Indian women in most of his paintings and drawings clearly resemble his model Josie Wright. Additionally the Indian women in his art often wear either a dress that is almost identical to the one Josephine is wearing here or a slight variation of it. Russell also had his model shown with his authentic props. In this photograph of Russell and Wright, note the dress, jewelry, backrest (in the back of the room) and the peace pipe that Josie is holding. It is clear that Josie and the regalia were the subjects for his Keeoma painting.

Charles M. Russell - Keeoma

Appropriately, the Blackfoot dress is display in the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana in the current exhibition entitled “CHARLES M. RUSSELL: THE WOMEN IN HIS LIFE AND ART.” Nancy Josephine Clark, Josie’s granddaughter attended the opening of the exhibition and here she is standing next to the dress.   

Nancy Josephine (Tharp) Clark & the Blackfoot dress her grandmother wore when posing for Charlie Russell