Looking Glass by Mario Rabago

A Nez Perce artist. Acrylic on board. 24"x30". Historically accurate as to Gray Horse somewhat short and stocky with coup marks from raids and buffalo hunts. Note the "looking glass" on the hat. When not wearing, wore a headband with mirror. Purpose was to "reflect the image of any adversary passing any bad spirits back to the giver. Mario Rabago - Self taught, he lived on the Nez Perce Reservation at Lapawai, Idaho most of his life. He learned the stories of the Nez Perce direct from the "old men" at the sweat house, "the Nez Perce are my best friends. . .The only thing I paint are Indians and historical events always related to the US Army and the Indians which I know very well and try to be accurate. If I had to choose somebody who influenced me, I'd have to say Ace Powell. Although I use acrylics for my backgrounds which are simple because I like to go directly to the subject…"