Possibly Ahschüpsa-Masihichsi, Hidatsa Man

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Artist

Karl Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Possibly Ahschüpsa-Masihichsi, Hidatsa Man

Dimensions

12 1/2 × 10 in. (31.8 × 25.4 cm)

Medium

Watercolor and graphite on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.249

Rights (i.e. copyright information)

Joslyn Art Museum

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

An inscription on the reverse of this portrait refers to the subject as Ahschüpsa Masihichsi. A nearly identical inscription appears on the reverse of the portrait reproduced in Image 1986.49.389. From a statement in the German edition of Travels in the Interior of North America, Image 1986.49.389 definitely depicts Ahschüpsa Masihichsi, but there is no corroborating data for the inscription associated with this one and, while there is some likeness of facial features and dress, the two pictures may represent two different individuals. Given the similarity of hair, dress, clothing, and ornament between the two tribes, the subject here could be either Mandan or Hidatsa. Whistles made of the bones of large birds and worn around the neck were common among Plains peoples. They are frequently referred to as war whistles and were used in battle to signal attack. They also had strong ceremonial associations and were often among the insignia of men's societies. For example, various Mandan societies were distinguished by whistles made of goose, crane, or swan bones. However, whistles made of eagle bone were most prevalent overall. Whistles were often beautifully ornamented, and the ornamentation could be part of an identifying society insignia.

Labels:

genre, portrait

Approximate Depicted Location:

Fort Clark, North Dakota