The North Dakota State Historical Society has obtained a collection of original lithographs depicting life among indigenous peoples of the Dakotas.
Pieces that were once tucked away in a San Francisco arthouse are now part of the groups permanent collection.
In 1832, Swiss artist Karl Bodmer and German Prince Maximillian embarked on a journey throughout the American Interior West. One of the results of that expedition were the paintings of dozens of lithographs depicting indigenous life in the region before widespread colonization of the plains.
Less than five years later, a smallpox epidemic would devastate the local indigenous population depicted in these paintings.
Kara Haff is the public information officer for the North Dakota State Historical Society.
“The expedition stayed at Fort Clark, they were down in South Dakota, up near Fort Union," Haff said. "Along the way, a number of significant portraits of different Native American chiefs were a part of it, but the daily life too were documented through Bodmer’s artwork.”
Haff said it’s a rare collection of originals to see, let alone acquire for a state historical society.
“Bodmer was working on turning the sketches, paintings and drawings to transfer those artworks onto plates to be stamped or lithographed," Haff said. "They don’t come up to auction very often, or come even in a complete set very often.”
The 1830s originals will be placed into rotation at the North Dakota Historical Society soon.
“We do anticipate where this set will come onto exhibit at some point, we don’t know exactly where yet, or when that will happen, but we know that it’s important to be able to see them,” Haff said.
The collection, featuring over two dozen total works, was acquired via a donation from Sam McQuade Jr., with an earmark for fine art purchases.