Hidatsa Figures

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Artist

Karl Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Hidatsa Figures

Date

January 7, 1834

Dimensions

10 1/16 × 12 1/4 in. (25.6 × 31.1 cm)

Medium

Wash and graphite on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.223.b

Rights (i.e. copyright information)

Joslyn Art Museum

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

The Hidatsas came to Fort Clark to perform their scalp dance twice in 1834, once in February after a retaliatory raid on some horse-stealing Assiniboins, and again in April after a surprise attack on a Sioux camp. The women played a principal role in these victory dances. They donned military attire, painted their faces like warriors, carried weapons, and displayed scalp trophies.

References in Journal

January 7, 1834

Labels:

Fort Clark, North Dakota

Approximate Depicted Location:

Fort Clark, North Dakota