The Natural Face of North America

The Maximilian-Bodmer Expedition 1832-1834

The Natural Face of North America

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Remarkable Formations on the Banks of the Upper Missouri

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Artist

Karl Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Remarkable Formations on the Banks of the Upper Missouri

Date

August 6, 1833

Dimensions

12 3/16 × 7 5/8 in. (31 × 19.4 cm)

Medium

Watercolor on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.202

Rights (i.e. copyright information)

Joslyn Art Museum

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

Again on August 6 Maximilian observed that the high, crumbling banks of the Missouri presented increasingly dramatic formations resembling the ruins of old castles and fortresses. He remarked that "I have not yet read anything about these strange mountain formations and an exact description might certainly not be without interest for the European reader." Elsewhere he explains that "Lewis and Clark gave a short description of this remarkable tract without, however, knowing the name of Stone Walls, which was added later."

References in Journal

August 6, 1833

Labels:

study , Missouri River , study, geological

Approximate Depicted Location:

Upper Missouri River

The Natural Face of North America

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