Chessmen (32)

Robert Leach

20th century · Wood · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The set is one of many that illustrate domestic incidents in national history. The subject, presumably the contest beween American Indians and American whites, shows a number of inconsistencies. For example, no such white "cowboy" types fought in such lookouts against American Indians. The crude workmanship and the naivité displayed here make a set like this the opposite of European nineteenth-century "historical" sets, with their careful revival of past ages. Each piece has the engraved signature LEACH on the base.

Artist

Robert Leach

Date

20th century

Medium

Wood

Culture

American, probably Chicago, Illinois

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948