Antique Print of two Blackfoot Chiefs and a Kutenai Leader (c.1840)

Description: Antique print titled 'Chef der Blut Indianer - Kriegs Chef er Pekan Indianer - Kutanä Indianer'. Aquatint engraving by Hürlimann after Bodmer. It shows two Blackfoot chiefs and a Kutenai (Kootenay or Kootenai) leader who lived amongst the Blackfoot. The figure to the left is Stomíck-Sosáck [`Bull's Hide' or `Bull's Back Fat'], an important Blood Blackfoot chief, who was probably about 50 at the time this portrait was done at Fort McKenzie in September 1833. The middle figure Nínoch-Kiäiu [`Chief of the Bears'], was a Piegan Blackfoot chief. He was an arrogant, aggressive person who was unpopular with both the Indians and the officials at the fort. Wrapped in a robe, he is very simply dressed for this portrait because he is in mourning for his dead nephew, killed near the fort by Blood Indians. The figure on the far right is Hómach-Ksáchkum, a Kutenai who had made his home amongst the Piegan Blackfoot for some time and had become a respected leader. A friendly person, he and Prince Maximilian talked at length about Kutenai customs and language.

Artists and Engravers: Engraved by Hürlimann after Bodmer.