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Lot 105

After Karl Bodmer
'Mato-Tope, A Mandan Chief' 51.4 x 36.8cm (20 1/4 x 14 1/2in)(PL).

7 February 2018, 13:00 GMT
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £937.50 inc. premium

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After Karl Bodmer

'Mato-Tope, A Mandan Chief'
published by Ackerman & Co., London, 1839
aquatint printed in colours
51.4 x 36.8cm (20 1/4 x 14 1/2in)(PL).

Footnotes

The present lot is tableau 13 from Maximilian, Prince of Wied's Travels in the Interior of North America, during the years 1832–1834, which was an account of the expedition to the Great Plains region of the United States along the Missouri River by the German explorer, naturalist and ethnographer Prince Maximilian of Wied. Bodmer was hired to accompany Maximilian on his expedition and record images of cities, rivers, towns and peoples they saw along the way, including the many tribes of Native Americans. Of the many images he made from the trip, 81 were reproduced as aquatints for the book.

Mato-Tope, also known as 'Four Bears', was a highly respected Mandan chief widely known for his military exploits. Prince Maximilian admired him greatly, not only for his reputed bravery, but also for his obvious intelligence, generosity, and knowledge of the history and customs of the Mandan and neighbouring tribes on the Missouri frontier. Bodmer shows Mato-Tope dressed in formal regalia signifying his important rank.

Additional information