Skip to main content

Bison-Dance of the Mandan Indians in front of their Medicine Lodge in Mih-Tuta-Hankush

Collections Menu
Photography by Edward C. Robison III.
Bison-Dance of the Mandan Indians in front of their Medicine Lodge in Mih-Tuta-Hankush
Photography by Edward C. Robison III.

Bison-Dance of the Mandan Indians in front of their Medicine Lodge in Mih-Tuta-Hankush

Artist (Swiss, 1809 - 1893)
Author (1782 - 1867)
Date1832-1834
MediumHand-colored aquatint
Dimensions17 1/4 × 23 1/2 in. (43.8 × 59.7 cm)
ClassificationsPrint
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2009.26.18
Accession number 2009.26.18
DescriptionDisbound from folio atlas volume of forty-eight plates
On View
Not on view
ProvenanceAuthor; to Frederick Schuchart, NY, 1844; (William Reese Company, New Haven, CT); purchased by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR, 2009
Label TextDuring their return trip, the expedition members witnessed a Mandan Buffalo Dance at Fort Clark (in present-day North Dakota) in April, 1834. Bison were central to Plains Indian cultures, and the dance was held to assure the return of the herd and an abundance of food and resources. According to Maximilian’s journal, Mandan men could join six different age-graded societies. The most prestigious was the Buffalo Bull Society, whose members were high ranking, experienced, and wealthy warriors who wore headdresses made of bison hide and horns. Only the two bravest members were allowed to wear full buffalo-head masks with pierced, metal-rimmed eye holes and horns. Society members also carried curved, feathered wands and lances. Wolf tails attached to the heels of dancers represented personal coups or battle feats. Bodmer recreated this scene in his Paris studio from earlier field studies. He used contemporary French models for some of the figures to convincingly portray the effect of movement and drama.