Song of Courage

Song of Courage, 30 x 30 oil on linen

This Plains Indian wears a headdress of beads, feathers, bells and ermine tails. His face is painted white with a blue-black hand print
The hand painted on the face is a Coup Mark, a sign of bravery. To be first to touch the enemy was regarded as the bravest deed of all, it was even a point of bravado for a single warrior to rush in among the enemy and strike one with quirt, coup stick or gun before attempting to fire, thus risking his own life.