Billie, a Choctaw Man

View Larger Image

Download

jpeg(54.23 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 Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Billie, a Choctaw Man

Date

January 12, 1833

Dimensions

8 3/4 × 6 3/8 in. (22.2 × 16.2 cm)

Medium

Watercolor and graphite on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.332

Rights (i.e. copyright information)

Joslyn Art Museum

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

On his arrival in New Orleans, Bodmer was met by Joseph Barrabino, an Italian pharmacist and friend of Lesueur's, who offered the artist temporary accommodations at his home in the city. This was located near a principal market, where Bodmer had the opportunity to observe the first Indians he had seen since coming to North America. These he later described to Maximilian as "living in a sadly inactive condition." His portrait of a Choctaw man identified as "Billie" is dated at New Orleans on January 12.

References in Journal

February 15, 1833

Labels:

New Orleans, Louisiana , Choctaw , genre, portrait

Approximate Depicted Location:

New Orleans, Louisiana