Historic prints of Native Americans are finally coming back to North Dakota

In a significant cultural milestone for North Dakota, a collection of over two dozen historic aquatint prints has been reintroduced to the public, depicting Native American life on the Upper Missouri River nearly 200 years ago. This initiative was made possible by a generous donation amounting to $150,000 from Sam McQuade Jr., a passionate advocate for North Dakota history. The State Historical Society of North Dakota was instrumental in facilitating the acquisition of these rare prints, which were originally created by Karl Bodmer, a Swiss artist who captured the essence of Native American culture through his vibrant artworks from 1839 to 1843. The aquatints, which are vivid representations of historical scenes and figures including Fort Union, a Mandan village, and notable individuals such as the Arikara warrior and Mandan chief Mato Tope, carry immense historical significance. These prints were commonly used during Bodmer's time to illustrate books, and they depict a variety of traditional activities such as bison hunting, scalp dances, and the funeral rites of Sioux chiefs. Due to their vibrant colors, these aquatints stand out against the backdrop of traditional black and white imagery from the same era. The State Historical Society plans to review these artworks, which were previously stored at a San Francisco gallery, and develop a comprehensive exhibition plan to make them accessible to the public. The images, which were created as part of a book titled "Travels in the Interior of North America" by Maximilian, provide a rich visual narrative of the daily life of Native Americans before significant changes brought about by external influences. While many of Bodmer's works are celebrated for their artistic merit, some Native American historians, such as Dakota Goodhouse, comment on the potential misleading nature of posed images that may not accurately reflect the everyday lives of the individuals depicted. This brings into question the representation of Native American cultures in historical art and the need for responsible interpretation. As the aquatints find their rightful place back in North Dakota, there is a significant opportunity to educate the public while also proposing that a portion of sales from Bodmer's prints could support contemporary Native American efforts in education, health, and housing, thus bridging the past with initiatives for the future.