The Old Print Shop

Mato-Tope, Tab 14.

  • ARTIST: Karl Bodmer

  • PUBLISHER: Published in Paris, A. Bertrand; Coblenz, J. Holscher and London by Ackermann & Co.

  • MEDIUM: Aquatint, mezzotint and etching,

    DATE: 1839-44.

  • EDITION SIZE: Plate size 17 1/8 x 11 7/8" (43.5 x 30 cm) plus margins.

  • DESCRIPTION: Peint d’apres nat. par Ch. Bodmer. Grave par J. Hurlimann. Published for "Travels in the Interior of North America during the years 1832-34" by Maximilian, Prince of Wied-Neuwied. In 1832 the German prince Maximilian of Wied, organized an expedition to explore the region along the Missouri River. He was accompanied by Karl Bodmer, a young Swiss artist, who recorded in pictorial form much of what he observed. Following the Lewis & Clark trail up the Missouri River, they traveled 5,000 miles during the course of a year. Maximilian kept detailed notes on a day-by-day basis for his book, which was published six years later in German, French, and English editions and included Bodmer's aquatint engravings. Karl Bodmer's landscapes, portraits, and splendid scenes of Indian life are regarded today as first rate picture histories of the western frontier at that time. These three individuals were drawn at different locations. Mato-Tope or “Four Bears” was a respected chief of the Mandan tribe. Over the winter of 1833-34 Maximilian spent a good deal of time with him discussing Mandan customs and history. Two different images of him were engraved and included in this work, this showing him in his war dress and another (Tab 13) depicting him in elaborate full skin clothing with full feathered head dress. Sadly he and a good deal on the rest of the tribe were killed in the smallpox epidemic of 1837-38.

  • ADDITIONAL INFO: First state (of three) No English subtitle, printers or publishers credit. Bodmer blind stamp below title.

  • CONDITION: Good condition. Black & white

  • REFERENCE: Rudd #14, pp. 122-123.