Unidentified Figures

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Artist

Karl Bodmer

Birth and death dates

1809 - 1893

Artist Nationality

Swiss

Title

Unidentified Figures

Date

June 18, 1833

Dimensions

6 3/4 × 12 9/16 in. (17.1 × 31.9 cm)

Medium

Watercolor and ink on paper

Institution

Joslyn Art Museum

Credit Line

Gift of the Enron Art Foundation

Accession Number

1986.49.304

Rights (i.e. copyright information)

Joslyn Art Museum

Photographer credit

Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Commentary

Inscriptions on the sketch identify the subjects as Assiniboin and Piegan. The central figure is further identified as "Tassaga," which could be a transcription error for "Stassagii," an Assiniboin chief met near Fort Union in 1833. Other than that, none of the figures appear to correspond with information in Maximilian's diaries or with the published aquatints. The cradle at the bottom corresponds in appearance to Maximilian's description of Mandan cradles: leather bags hung from the house beams with leather straps. These were not so "elegant" and "beautiful" as those of the Sioux and Assiniboins.

References in Journal

June 18, 1833

Labels:

study

Approximate Depicted Location:

Fort Clark, North Dakota