Tom Lovell

Private Collection

Acquired by descent from the above by the present owner

Tom Lovell began his career as an illustrator – eventually producing covers for publications like National Geographic, Collier’s, and several pulp fiction magazines. Executed in 1992, The War Bonnet Ceremony pays homage to Roman Nose, a famous Cheyenne leader in war, who was also “the proud owner of a war bonnet made for him by White Bull. A war bonnet was not merely a headdress but a symbol of the man and his achievements. Before going into battle a ceremony was necessary… with prayers for help in gaining honor and protection. In this the warrior would often be assisted by a medicine man. Roman Nose died at the Battle of Beecher’s Island in 1808, wearing his famous one horn headdress” (unpublished note on the reverse of the painting).