Sioux Chief Portrait – Esh-Ta-Hum-Leah, Native American Lithograph c.1838
€ 1 900
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1838
Sheet size
49.7 × 38.7 cm (19.6 × 15.2 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13467-9
Condition
Repaired: Closed tears in margins. Good condition overall for its age. Light age-toning throughout and some minor surface spotting in the margins. Colors remain vivid and well-preserved. Tears in the margins are repaired.
About this sheet
Sioux Chief Portrait – Esh-Ta-Hum-Leah, Native American Lithograph c.1838
This compelling hand-colored lithograph portrays Esh-Ta-Hum-Leah, a Sioux chief, and originates from the renowned series History of the Indian Tribes of North America, published after the original paintings by Charles Bird King circa 1838. These works aimed to preserve the likenesses of Native American leaders at a time of intense cultural and political upheaval, especially during treaty negotiations in Washington, D.C.
Esh-Ta-Hum-Leah is rendered with a solemn and introspective expression, dressed in traditional attire that includes a fur robe and braided hair. The three feathers adorning his headdress—each rendered with care, including one marked with a distinctive black band—may denote leadership, status, or past achievements. His face is painted in deep reddish tones, capturing the ceremonial or symbolic significance often seen in Sioux portraiture.
Charles Bird King's original oil paintings were tragically lost in a fire at the Smithsonian Institution, making these lithographic reproductions an essential visual record. The image was printed and hand-colored in the mid-19th century by the firm of J.T. Bowen in Philadelphia, one of the era’s premier lithographers.
This portrait not only represents the dignity and strength of Sioux leadership but also serves as a lasting testament to the cultural resilience of Native American peoples during a time of rapid transformation in North America.
Condition report: Good condition overall for its age. Light age-toning throughout and some minor surface spotting in the margins. Colors remain vivid and well-preserved. Tears in the margins are repaired.
Framing tips: This print pairs beautifully with a dark walnut or black frame to contrast the warm tones of the portrait. Use a soft ivory or tan mat to enhance the coloring and give the portrait a museum-quality presentation.
