Plains Indians

Prince Maximillian Alexander
Philipp von Wied-Neuwield.
Reise in das innere
Nord-America in den
Jahren 1832 bis 1834
[Travels in the
Interior of North America].
Koblenz: 1839-1841
"Pehriska-Ruhpa,"
after a painting by Karl Bodmer
Hand-colored engraving
Rare Book & Special Collections Division(114.7)

Prince Maximillian von Wied-Neuwied traveled deep into the American West between 1832 and 1834 with the Swiss artist Karl Bodmer. On their journey up the Missouri River, the expedition party studied the Plains Indians. Bodmer's rendering of Minnetarre (Hidatsa) warrior and principal leader of the Dog Society in his village, shows him in a magnificent ceremonial costume. Members of the Dog Society were expected to exhibit daring and bravery in battle. Bodmer's renderings were the first accurate images of Native Americans to reach the public.