Ihkas-kinne, Siksika Blackfoot Chief

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Artist

Karl Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Ihkas-kinne, Siksika Blackfoot Chief

Date

August 1833

Dimensions

17 × 12 in. (43.2 × 30.5 cm)

Medium

watercolor and graphite on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.285

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

In late August Bodmer sketched this lean Siksika chief at Fort McKenzie. A daring and able warrior, Ihkas-kinne had reputedly once single-handedly recaptured the fort's herd of horses, which had been stolen either by Bloods or by another band of Siksikas. The garment Ihkas-kinne wears across his shoulders is made of otter pelts, profusely decorated with pieces of irridescent shell, probably abalone, plus bright metal buttons and two curved metallic bands, possibly gorgets. The pelts appear to be lined with red cloth and are fringed with quill-wrapped locks of hair. Maximilian was told that this man also owned a shirt sewn all over with mirror fragments.

References in Journal

August 29, 1833

Labels:

portrait

Approximate Depicted Location:

Fort McKenzie, Montana