Atsina Camp
Download
jpeg(63.71 kb)
For information on accessing a high resolution version of this image suitable for print reproduction please visit the Rights and Reproduction page.
Artist
Karl BodmerBirth and death dates
1809 - 1893Artist Nationality
SwissTitle
Atsina CampDate
August 5, 1833Dimensions
10 7/8 × 16 7/8 in. (27.6 × 42.9 cm)Medium
Graphite on paperInstitution
Joslyn Art MuseumCredit Line
Gift of the Enron Art FoundationAccession Number
1986.49.178Rights (i.e. copyright information)
Joslyn Art MuseumPhotographer credit
Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019Commentary
On August 5 Maximilian's keelboat stopped opposite an Atsina camp at the mouth of the Judith River. It was a large camp encompassing over 200 tipis, and the boat was soon besieged by visitors demanding to trade or be given merchandise. Since the Indians far outnumbered the party of travelers, there was concern that the situation could turn hostile. The vessel sailed as soon as possible. Under the circumstances Bodmer probably had little time to record the scene, and this pencil sketch may well have been done afterwards from memory. A month later, when the travelers passed by this spot on their return downstream, there was not a trace of the camp. A vivid recreation of this Atsina encounter, very like the sketch, appeared as Tableau 38 in the atlas of aquatints.
References in Journal
August 5, 1833Approximate Depicted Location:
Atsina Camp at mouth of Judith River