The Natural Face of North America

The Maximilian-Bodmer Expedition 1832-1834

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Home » Images » Addíh-Hiddísch, Hidatsa Chief

Addíh-Hiddísch, Hidatsa Chief

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Artist

Karl Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Addíh-Hiddísch, Hidatsa Chief

Date

March 26, 1834

Dimensions

16 9/16 × 11 11/16 in. (42.1 × 29.7 cm)

Medium

Watercolor and graphite on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.388

Rights (i.e. copyright information)

Joslyn Art Museum

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

Addíh-Hiddísch ("Maker of Roads") was a chief of the village of Awacháwi and a member of the tribal council which was concerned with the mutual defense of all three Hidatsa villages. He was the keeper of an important medicine bundle and had an impressive war record, having gone after the enemy six times on successful raids without losing any of his own men. Bodmer painted him in March of 1834. A hundred years later, Addíh-Hiddísch was still remembered by the Hidatsa as an outstanding leader. Tattooing was not uncommon among Mandan and Hidatsa men, but was usually limited to the right breast and arm. Addíh-Hiddísch, however, was extensively tattooed on his breast, arms, hands, and legs. The tattooing was done with a needle dipped in a blue-black dye made with willow bark. The stripes and symbols, which may represent war exploits, have been embellished with red paint. Addíh-Hiddísch wears a European hat topped with a coup feather, and a peace medal as a sign of his political status. His leggings are trimmed with blue and white beadwork; the knoblike painted symbols may stand for the many horses he captured and gave away as presents. The Thunderbird once appeared to him in a vision, promising battle success; note the bird design on his quilled moccasins. The scalp and scalp lock attached to his war hatchet are among several such trophies taken by him and his followers. Addíh-Hiddísch was pictured in the same clothing and pose in Tableau 24 of the aquatints, although the caption in the 1906 Thwaites edition of Maximilian's narrative incorrectly identifies him as Mandan.

References in Journal

March 26, 1834

Labels:

genre, portrait , Fort Clark, North Dakota

Approximate Depicted Location:

Fort Clark, North Dakota

The Natural Face of North America

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