Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

McKenney & Hall
Wa-Kawn, A Winnebago Chief: An Original Hand-colored McKenney & Hall Engraving

1865

About the Item

This is an original 19th century hand-colored McKenney and Hall engraving of a Native American entitled "Wa-Kawn, A Winnebago Chief, No. 83 (The Snake)", published by Rice, Rutter & Co. in 1865. This original McKenney and Hall engraving is presented in a cream colored mat, suitable for framing with a protective clear sleeve. The mat measures 13.88" x 11.75" and the sheet measures 10.63" high and 7.38" wide. There is some spotting primarily in the periphery, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. Col. Thomas J. McKenney was Superintendant of The Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1816 until 1830. He was one of a very few government officials to defend American Indian interests and attempt to preserve their culture. He travelled to Indian lands meeting the Native American leaders. He brought with him an accomplished artist, James Otto Lewis, who sketched those willing to participate. A large number of the most influential Indian chiefs and warriors were later invited to come to Washington in 1821 to meet President Monroe. McKenney commissioned the prominent portrait painter Charles Bird King, who had a studio in the capital, to paint these native American leaders, who chose the costumes they wished to wear for the sitting. The magnificent resultant paintings were displayed in the War Department until 1858, and were then moved to the Smithsonian Institute. When Andrew Jackson dismissed McKenney in 1830, he gave him permission to have the King portraits as well as some by other artists, including George Catlin and James Otto Lewis, copied and made into lithographs, in both folio and octavo sizes. McKenney partnered with James C. Hall, a Cincinnati judge and novelist to publish the lithographs and the text written by Hall. The work was extremely expensive to create and nearly bankrupted McKenney, as well as the two printing firms who invested in its publication. The resultant work gained importance when Catlin's paintings were destroyed in a warehouse fire and Charles Bird King's and James Otto Lewis’ portraits were destroyed in the great Smithsonian Museum fire of 1865. The McKenney and Hall portraits remain the most complete and colorful record of these pre-Civil War Native American leaders. The folio and smaller octavo sized hand painted lithographs remain prized by collectors and institutions, many of which are held by major museums and collections, including the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institute.
  • Creator:
  • Creation Year:
    1865
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13.88 in (35.26 cm)Width: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Alamo, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: #17051stDibs: LU117327022262
More From This SellerView All
You May Also Like
  • Masque aux rouleaux
    By Henri Matisse
    Located in London, GB
    Aquatint on BFK Rives paper, Edition of 25 Paper size: 56 x 38 cms (22 x 15 ins) Image size: 34.8 x 27.7 cms (13 3/4 x 10 7/8 ins)
    Category

    1940s Impressionist Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Aquatint

  • Marguerite III
    By Henri Matisse
    Located in London, GB
    Lithograph on Arches Velin paper, Edition of 25 Paper size: 45 x 32 cms (17 5/8 x 12 5/8 ins) Image size: 30 x 22.8 cms (11 3/4 x 9 ins)
    Category

    1940s Impressionist Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Tête penchée et Bocal de Poissons
    By Henri Matisse
    Located in London, GB
    Etching on Chine appliqué on Arches Velin paper, Edition of 25 Paper size: 28.5 x 38 cms (11 1/4 x 15 ins) Plate size: 14.9 x 19.6 cms (5 7/8 x 7 5/8 ins)
    Category

    1920s Impressionist Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Etching

  • Viktorija Pashuta "Smoking Lady" Original Fine Art Print
    By Viktorija Pashuta
    Located in Culver City, CA
    Viktorija Pashuta "Smoking Lady" photography Original Fashion Photograph from the Series TRANSPARENT MIRRORS by an award-winning fashion photograph...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Archival Paper, Color

  • Viktorija Pashuta "Fashion Marie Antoinette" Original Fine Art Print
    By Viktorija Pashuta
    Located in Culver City, CA
    Viktorija Pashuta "VOGUE Fashion" photography Original Fashion Photograph from the Series CASABLANCA by an award-winning fashion photographer Vikto...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Archival Paper, Color

  • Florentine
    By Henri Matisse
    Located in London, GB
    Linocut on Daragnès paper, Edition of 25 Paper size: 52 x 33 cms (20 1/2 x 13 ins) image size: 18.5 x 14.3 cms (7 5/8 x 5 5/8 ins)
    Category

    1930s Impressionist Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Linocut

Recently Viewed

View All