The Savage

Remington created "The Savage," copyrighted in 1908, as a pendant to his only other bust, "The Sergeant" (39.65.52a, b) of four years earlier. Both, miniaturized in scale, represent early- twentieth-century stereotypes rather than specific individuals. With exaggerated phenotypically Native features, a defiant expression, and bared teeth, "The Savage" represents a common conception of the Indigenous American in Remington’s art. While some of his Western types remain iconic, others lay bare problematic and discomforting cultural and racial biases, as further evidenced by his choice of title.



Only one cast of "The Savage," which Remington wrote of seeing in the window of Tiffany & Company in 1908, appears to have been produced during his lifetime. The Metropolitan's example, cast number 10, was authorized by Remington's widow, Eva, and was recorded in the Roman Bronze Works ledger in May 1916.