Buffalo Prayer
James Earle Fraser
Modeled ca. 1917, cast posthumously 1968
Location: To the left of the front entrance
James Earle Fraser, made famous for his design of the buffalo nickle and his iconic sculpture, The End of the Trail, (seen inside the Whitney gallery), depicted a dramatic and emotional Plains Indian medicine man standing in reverent prayer. Fraser grew up in South Dakota and had many encounters with Plains Indians. The artist modeled the sculpture after he witnessed a “medicine man, or counselor of the tribe, make his prayer. It was for the return of the buffalo.”
James Earle Fraser (1876 – 1953). Buffalo Prayer, modeled ca. 1917, copyrighted 1931, cast posthumously 1968. Cast 1 of edition of 2, Modern Art Foundry, New York, New York. Bronze, H 107.5 x W 36.5 inches. Gift of William E. Weiss. 51.72
