Awaschó-dichsas, Hidatsa Man

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Artist

Karl Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Awaschó-dichsas, Hidatsa Man

Date

March 4, 1834

Dimensions

12 1/2 × 10 3/16 in. (31.8 × 25.9 cm)

Medium

Watercolor and graphite on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.278

Rights (i.e. copyright information)

Joslyn Art Museum

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

Awaschó-dichsas ("Swallow with the White Belly") was reluctant to tell his name to Maximilian; among the Hidatsas and other Plains peoples it was often considered more appropriate to learn someone's name from a third party rather than to inquire directly. He did, however, describe the symbolism of his painted robe. The circular pattern is composed of the tracks and trails of wolves. The central black spot signifies their den. Awaschó-dichsas might have sought to identify himself with the stalking and hunting powers of the wolf, or the figures may be related to his age society, since wolf skins were part of the paraphernalia of at least two Hidatsa men's associations. Awaschó-dichsas's portrait was painted at Fort Clark on March 4, 1834.

References in Journal

March 4, 1834

Labels:

genre, portrait

Approximate Depicted Location:

Fort Clark, North Dakota