Portrait Painting of Chief Hollow-Horn Bear on Leather Hide

Item Details

Artist unknown
Chief Hollow-Horn Bear
Pigment on leather
Unsigned
Title inscribed to lower right

A portrait painting on a leather hide of Chief Hollow-Horn Bear (1850 – 1913) of the Brulé Lakota, by an anonymous artist. This painting depicts the Chief in three-quarter view, posed to the left, and dressed in a traditional feather headdress and breast-plate. His name is inscribed to the lower right. The work is painted on a dark brown hide with an irregular edge, and is mounted to a tan leather background comprised of several hand-stitched sections. The work is presented under glass in a stained wood frame with a gilt liner.

Chief Hollow-Horn Bear was born in what is now known as Nebraska, the son of Chief Iron Shell. He began fighting in the Sioux Wars at the age of twelve, including the Battle of Little Big Horn. Later in life he worked towards peace with the English, and advocated for the Lakota in many negotiations around the turn of the century, even attending the inaugurations of Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

Condition

- areas of loss to paint. Light accretion. Minor wear to frame finish.

Dimensions

- measures frame. Visible image measures 30" W x 40.5" H.

Item #

18CIN679-028