Mandan Shrine

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Artist

Karl Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Mandan Shrine

Date

November 1833

Dimensions

10 1/8 × 7 7/8 in. (25.7 × 20 cm)

Medium

Watercolor on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.386

Rights (i.e. copyright information)

Joslyn Art Museum

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

The hide-wrapped poles in this scene are effigies of the sun and the moon, which in turn symbolize two of the most powerful Mandan deities: the Lord of Life, creator of all things; and the Old Woman Who Never Dies, who was associated with corn and the buffalo. Religion permeated every aspect of Mandan life, and no major decision or undertaking was made without first seeking the help of a sacred being, as the Mandan standing before this shrine is presumably doing. Such supplications often involved fasting and sacrifice or offerings. In Tableau 25 1 the aquatint based on this watercolor, there are three knives and an ax at the foot of the poles, evidently gifts to the deities.

References in Journal

November 17, 1833

Approximate Depicted Location:

Fort Clark, North Dakota