About this artwork
Most mid-19th-century artists relied on romantic, often inaccurate conceptions of Native Americans, yet some, including Henry Kirke Brown, traveled west hoping to attain firsthand knowledge of their subjects. In September and October 1848, Brown journeyed to Michigan—then the American frontier—to create models of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians in preparation for a sculpture commissioned by the American Art Union. The resulting miniature portrait bust reveals the artist’s careful attention to details of physiognomy and hair; the figure thus displays a sympathetic naturalism and commanding nobility of presence.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of the Americas
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Artist
- Henry Kirke Brown
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Title
- Bust of an American Indian
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Place
- United States (Artist's nationality:)
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Date
- Modeled 1848–1849
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Medium
- Bronze on bronze plinth
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Dimensions
- 20.3 × 8.6 × 6 cm (8 × 3 3/8 × 2 3/8 in.)
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Credit Line
- Roger and J. Peter McCormick Endowments
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Reference Number
- 2003.44
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/180656/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.