Winold Reiss

Winold Reiss was a German-American painter and illustrator, known for his portraits and depictions of Native American culture. He was born on December 16, 1886, in Munich, Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1913. Reiss studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and later at the Art Students League in New York City. He became prominent in the 1920s and 1930s for his vibrant and expressive style, which often combined elements of modernism with traditional portraiture. His major works include a series of portraits of Native American leaders and cultural figures, as well as murals for public buildings. Reiss's work is significant for its role in promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of Native American culture during a time of widespread misunderstanding and misrepresentation. He died on August 29, 1953, in New York City.