Art

Panorama of the Army of the Cumberland

The National Museum of American History is not an art museum. But works of art fill its collections and testify to the vital place of art in everyday American life. The ceramics collections hold hundreds of examples of American and European art glass and pottery. Fashion sketches, illustrations, and prints are part of the costume collections. Donations from ethnic and cultural communities include many homemade religious ornaments, paintings, and figures. The Harry T Peters "America on Stone" collection alone comprises some 1,700 color prints of scenes from the 1800s. The National Quilt Collection is art on fabric. And the tools of artists and artisans are part of the Museum's collections, too, in the form of printing plates, woodblock tools, photographic equipment, and potters' stamps, kilns, and wheels.

Culture: Indians of North America

Custer's Last Charge

Colored print; combat scene between George Custer's military forces and Indian warriors. Custer is in center foreground on horseback, brandishing a sword at a plumed warrior who holds a tomahawk. Most Indians are armed with rifles. Heavy casualties are depicted on both sides.
Description (Brief)
Colored print; combat scene between George Custer's military forces and Indian warriors. Custer is in center foreground on horseback, brandishing a sword at a plumed warrior who holds a tomahawk. Most Indians are armed with rifles. Heavy casualties are depicted on both sides. Foothills appear in the background.
This is one of the earliest images of the battle and the first lithograph of the event.. Historically inaccurate, it depicts a long haired Custer with his saber, which he did not have with him in the battle. He is not using not a pistol or rifle which he did carry into the battle. The image is full of grand gestures and depictions of glorious death on both sides and unfortuneately added to the Custer mystique and heroic image.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1876
copyright holder
Siefert Gugler & Co.
depicted
Custer, George Armstrong
maker
Milwaukee Lithographic & Engraving Company
designer
Fuchs, Feodor
ID Number
DL.60.2599
catalog number
60.2599
accession number
228146

Execution of the Thirty Eight Sioux Indians

Colored print depicting the execution of thirty-eight Sioux Indians at Mankato, Minnesota, December 26, 1862. A large gallows in the center is surrounded by soldiers with spectators standing on the outskirts.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print depicting the execution of thirty-eight Sioux Indians at Mankato, Minnesota, December 26, 1862. A large gallows in the center is surrounded by soldiers with spectators standing on the outskirts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865
publisher
Wise & Clarke
maker
Knirsch, Otto
Culver, Page, & Hoyne
ID Number
DL.60.2564
catalog number
60.2564
accession number
228146

What We Want in California./From New-York Direct/ Family and Fire-side

Black and white print on blue paper of two views related to the California mine fields. The upper view depicts the arrival of a train greeted by a group of men and women including an Indian women with a papoose and a small child.
Description (Brief)
Black and white print on blue paper of two views related to the California mine fields. The upper view depicts the arrival of a train greeted by a group of men and women including an Indian women with a papoose and a small child. The lower view depicts a parlor scene of a family gathered around a circular table.
Date made
n.d.
date made
1869-1885
maker
Britton & Rey
ID Number
DL.60.3804
catalog number
60.3804

The Death of Old Tammany and His Wife Loco Foco

This 1837 print satirizes the heavy losses suffered by the New York Democratic Party in the that year’s municipal election and the growing influence of the American press.
Description (Brief)
This 1837 print satirizes the heavy losses suffered by the New York Democratic Party in the that year’s municipal election and the growing influence of the American press. The center of the print features a Native American man representing the Tammany Hall faction of the Democratic Party, dying from an arrow shot by a member of the Whig press, while his wife Loco Foco depicted as an Irish woman, kneels on the ground and clutches at his waist. Tammany Hall and Loco Foco were both factions of the New York Democratic Party, who differed greatly on economic policy. They both ran Democratic candidates in the 1837 municipal election, splitting the vote and securing a Whig victory. Both Tammany Hall and the Loco Focos were decimated by the Whig Party, as shown by the dialogue: “Farewell to all my greatness. This last blow has settled me. My dear Loco Foco, stretch out your arms to me; I die!” and “Arrah be my soul Ould Tammany, your faithful Loco Foco will die widt you! I’m knockt all to smidereens!” Behind Tammany and Loco Foco are prominent New York Democrats including federal District Attorney, William M. Price, Alexander Ming Jr., and Elijah F. Purdy, who are buckling under the realization that they lost both the Mayor’s Office and the Common Council to the Whigs. Whig ballots float in the air around them, and two Democrat newspapers, the “Times” and the “Plain Dealer” are on the ground under the throng of Democrats. On the left of the print, is a crowd of prominent members of the Whig press including “Courier and Enquirer” editor, James Watson Webb, who has just shot the fatal blow striking “Old Tammany” in the heart. Standing with Webb are Charles King, editor of the “New York American,” holding a sword, Mordecai Manuel Noah, editor of the “New York Star,” holding a pike, and men representing other Whig papers, the “Gazette” and “Express” holding clubs. At their feet is the famously cross eyed Scottish immigrant, James Gordon Bennet, founder and editor of the “New York Herald,” a paper independent of political ideology but still important at the time for its developments in journalistic practice. He noted for his April 1836 journalistic interview and coverage of the gruesome murder of prostitute Helen Jewett in New York City, and was also the first to interview a sitting president when he sat with President Martin Van Buren in 1839. While the “Herald” was officially independent, it did endorse presidential candidates, and by the end of the Civil War had the highest circulation in the country.
The lithographer of this print is Edward Williams Clay (1799-1857). Clay was a caricaturist, engraver, lithographer, and etcher, as well as a portrait painter. Before his career as an artist, Clay was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar, but quickly left to pursue art in New York City. After losing his eyesight he retired from art and held minor office in Delaware before his death in December of 1857.
The publisher of this print is Henry R. Robinson (1827-1877). Robinson worked in New York, and had a store to sell his prints. In 1842, he was arrested for selling obscene pictures and books leading to the September 28, 1842 court case, People vs H. R. Robinson found in the District Attorney Indictment Papers, Municipal Archives. He was politically affiliated with the anti-Jackson Whig party.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1837
maker
Robinson, Henry R.
artist
Clay, Edward Williams
ID Number
DL.60.3355
catalog number
60.3355

Pochanhontas Saving the Life of Capt John Smith

Colored print of Pocahontas defending John Smith against a group of Indians, one of whom is about to strike him with a club.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print of Pocahontas defending John Smith against a group of Indians, one of whom is about to strike him with a club.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1840
depicted
Pocahontas
Smith, John
maker
Robinson, Henry R.
Sarony, Napoleon
ID Number
DL.60.2539
catalog number
60.2539
accession number
228146

Dustan Covering the Retreat of His Seven Children

Colored print of a man with a rifle on horseback shooting at a band of Indians at left. At right, his seven children retreat into a log cabin as another man guards them with a rifle. A burning house is visible on the horizon.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print of a man with a rifle on horseback shooting at a band of Indians at left. At right, his seven children retreat into a log cabin as another man guards them with a rifle. A burning house is visible on the horizon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1851
lithographer
Nagel & Weingaertner
artist
Fasel, George Wilhelm
publisher
Seitz, Emil
ID Number
DL.60.2421
catalog number
60.2421
accession number
228146

La Malinche

La Malinche, the title of this lithograph, was the indigenous woman who translated for Cortés between Maya, Náhuatl, and Spanish during his first years in Mexico.
Description
La Malinche, the title of this lithograph, was the indigenous woman who translated for Cortés between Maya, Náhuatl, and Spanish during his first years in Mexico. Considered either as a traitor or a founding mother by some Mexicans, La Malinche was Cortés's lover and the mother of his favorite son Martín. She and Moctezuma are also central figures in the Matachines dances that are performed in Mexico and New Mexico. Originally commemorating the expulsion of the Moors from southern Spain in 1492, the dance was brought to Mexico where it was treated as a means for Christianizing native peoples. The historical figure of La Malinche, known in Spanish by the name Doña Marina, is also credited for playing an almost miraculous role in the early evangelization of central Mexico. This print, made by Jean Charlot in the 1933, shows a young girl in the role of La Malinche, holding a rattle or toy in one hand, and a sword in the other. Jean Charlot, a French-born artist, lived and studied in Mexico in the 1920s and 1930s. He depicted stylized scenes from the daily life of Mexican workers, particularly indigenous women.
Description (Spanish)
La Malinche, título de esta litografía, fue la mujer indígena que interpretaba para Cortés entre los mayas, náhuatl y españoles durante sus primeros años en México. La Malinche, quien para algunos mexicanos es una traidora, mientras que otros la consideran la madre fundadora, fue la amante de Cortés y la madre de su hijo favorito, Martín. Ella y Moctezuma constituyen también los personajes centrales de las danzas matachines que se interpretan en México y Nuevo México. Al principio estas danzas conmemoraban la expulsión de los moros del sur de España, pero en 1492 cuando la danza llegó a México se la utilizó como medio para cristianizar a los pueblos nativos. Se le atribuye también a la figura histórica de La Malinche, conocida asimismo como Doña Marina, un desempeño casi milagroso dentro de la temprana evangelización de México. Esta ilustración, hecha por Jean Charlot en 1933, es la imagen de una niña representando a La Malinche, sosteniendo un sonajero o juguete en una mano y una espada en la otra. Jean Charlot fue un artista francés que vivió y estudió en México entre las décadas de 1920 y 1930, quien se dedicó a ilustrar escenas estilizadas de la vida diaria de los trabajadores mexicanos y en particular de las mujeres indígenas.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1933
ID Number
GA.23401
catalog number
23401
accession number
299563

Joseph the Prophet Addressing the Lamanites by Edward Williams Clay and Henry R. Robinson, 1844

This color print is a full-length portrait of Joseph Smith (1805-1844) , standing in the woods preaching to a group of Native American Indians.
Description
This color print is a full-length portrait of Joseph Smith (1805-1844) , standing in the woods preaching to a group of Native American Indians. Smith was the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as Mormon Church) and translator of The Book of Mormon which he holds in his left hand. Joseph Smith believed that Native American Indians were descended from the Nephite and Lamanite peoples, whose stories are told in The Book of Mormon. There is little evidence that Smith himself preached to Native American tribes, however others did at his behest until government officials pushed missionaries off reservation land. Before Smith’s martyrdom and the subsequent migration of the Mormon peoples to Utah, Smith attempted unsuccessfully to obtain legal government licenses to share The Book of Mormon with Native American tribes forcefully removed to western territories.
This print was produced by Edward Williams Clay and Henry R. Robinson. Edward Williams Clay (1799-1857) was an American painter, illustrator, and printmaker born in Philadelphia. He attended law school but left the legal field to become an engraver. In the late 1820s, he worked on a series of stereotypical racist prints entitled Life in Philadelphia depicting African American life. He also created portraits and sheet music covers, but after 1831 he specialized in political cartoons. He moved from Philadelphia to New York City in 1837 and often worked with Henry R. Robinson. Failing eyesight eventually led Clay to give up art, and he again relocated, this time to Delaware, where he worked as a court clerk. He died of tuberculosis in New York in 1857.
Henry R. Robinson was a caricaturist and lithographer active in New York City from about 1831-1851. He was listed as a carver and gilder from 1833-34, as a caricaturist from 1836-43 and as a lithographer and print publisher from 1843-51. In 1842 he was arrested for selling obscene pictures and books in his print and book shop. He was politically affiliated with the anti-Jackson Whig party which was made obvious by the wig silhouette used in 1838 as an advertising logo for his shop.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1844
depicted
Smith, Joseph
publisher
S. Brannan & Co.
maker
Robinson, Henry R.
Clay, Edward Williams
ID Number
DL.60.3141
catalog number
60.3141
accession number
228146

Hair Flowers

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855 - 1885
ID Number
DL.022467.0001E
catalog number
022467.0001E
accession number
22467

The Aztec Children

Color advertising print of a fashionably dressed couple being waited on by two small Indians. The Indians wear gold-trimmed dresses with sunflower-shaped collars and ankle bands.
Description (Brief)
Color advertising print of a fashionably dressed couple being waited on by two small Indians. The Indians wear gold-trimmed dresses with sunflower-shaped collars and ankle bands. Testimonial text beneath the image ends with the statement that "These wonderful Children are on exhibition every day and evening at BARNUM's AMERICAN MUSEUM..."
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
advertiser
Barnum Museum
maker
Currier & Ives
ID Number
DL.60.3491
catalog number
60.3491

Court Reception of Columbus

Colored print of a bearded Columbus wearing a long purple cape and kneeling before king and queen who stand on a throne. Behind Columbus are three Indians bearing gifts. Also in the room are soldiers, courtiers, monks and scholars observing the proceedings.
Description (Brief)
Colored print of a bearded Columbus wearing a long purple cape and kneeling before king and queen who stand on a throne. Behind Columbus are three Indians bearing gifts. Also in the room are soldiers, courtiers, monks and scholars observing the proceedings. The setting is a Gothic style audience room decorated with statues. Proof before letters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
depicted
Columbus, Christopher
Isabella I Queen of Spain
Ferdinand V King of Spain
maker
Schile, Henry
ID Number
DL.60.2474
catalog number
60.2474
accession number
228146

Trading on the Plains

Color print of two white men and an Indian on an open plain. One white man is seated offering a bottle to the Indian who is seated with him. The other white man stands in the background with the horses. The Indian's horse has a dead stag over its back.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of two white men and an Indian on an open plain. One white man is seated offering a bottle to the Indian who is seated with him. The other white man stands in the background with the horses. The Indian's horse has a dead stag over its back.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Haskell & Allen
ID Number
DL.60.3513
catalog number
60.3513

Rosalie the Prairie Flower

Black and white comic print of a Indian woman with a papoose on her back. She stands holding a liquor bottle in one hand; a finger of her other hand is in her mouth. This is one of over 100 in a series of comic parodies of popular songs.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white comic print of a Indian woman with a papoose on her back. She stands holding a liquor bottle in one hand; a finger of her other hand is in her mouth. This is one of over 100 in a series of comic parodies of popular songs.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875
maker
Vance, Parsloe and Company
ID Number
DL.60.2864
catalog number
60.2864
accession number
228146

Indian Buffalo Hunt

Color print of an Indian on horseback running beside a buffalo which he has pierced with his spear.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of an Indian on horseback running beside a buffalo which he has pierced with his spear.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
unknown
ID Number
DL.60.3511
catalog number
60.3511

Freiheit Edelmuth & Bruderliebe, Unabhangiger Orden der Rothmaenner

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1863
recipient
Gratz, Otto
depicted
Pocahontas
Associated Name
Plumig, John
Bissout, Heinrich
maker
Feusier, A.
Schnabel & Finkeldey
ID Number
DL.60.2396
catalog number
60.2396
accession number
228146

Buffalo Bull, Chasing Back; Turn About Is Fair Play

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
printer
Currier & Ives
original artist
Catlin, George
ID Number
GA.21386
catalog number
21386
accession number
245107

The Mammoth Grove. Plate X. The Fallen Hercules of the Grove

Black and white print of a huge fallen tree on the floor of the forest. Several people are walking on the fallen tree.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of a huge fallen tree on the floor of the forest. Several people are walking on the fallen tree.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1862
maker
Vischer, Edward
ID Number
DL.60.3841
catalog number
60.3841

Hunting the Buffalo

Color print of Indians on horseback hunting buffalo. Three Indians and two buffalo are in the foreground with others visible in the distance.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of Indians on horseback hunting buffalo. Three Indians and two buffalo are in the foreground with others visible in the distance.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
1873
maker
Rice, W. W.
Darley, Felix Octavius Carr
ID Number
DL.60.3523
catalog number
60.3523

The Pursuit

Color print of a white man on horseback being pursued by an Indian also on horseback.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of a white man on horseback being pursued by an Indian also on horseback.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Bufford, John Henry
ID Number
DL.60.3510
catalog number
60.3510

Virgin of Santa Rita de Cascia

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1830
ID Number
CL.219161
catalog number
219161
219161
accession number
40071

Cigar Store Indian

This cigar store Indian was used as an advertisement for D. F. Saylor’s Pennsylvania tobacco shop during the late 19th and early 20th century. The Indian holds a bundle of cigars in one hand and a tobacco leaf in the other.
Description
This cigar store Indian was used as an advertisement for D. F. Saylor’s Pennsylvania tobacco shop during the late 19th and early 20th century. The Indian holds a bundle of cigars in one hand and a tobacco leaf in the other. He stands on a four-sided pedestal that has writing on each side: “145/D. F. Saylor/Cigars, Tobacco, Candy”—“Smoke/50-50/Cigar”—“El Wadora/5¢/Cigar” and “Thank You! Call Again.” The pedestal also advertises a shoe shine. Indians were associated with tobacco since they introduced it to Europeans, and advertisers played upon these stereotypes to hawk their wares to illiterate consumers.
ID Number
CL.65.0993
catalog number
65.0993
accession number
256396

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1815-1835
ID Number
CL.219167
accession number
40071
catalog number
219167

Indian with Dog Weathervane

Depicting an Indian with drawn bow and dog. Silhouette of Indian with stylized head dress (hair) with ornament on forehead holding a drawn bow and arrow. There is a dog at the base of the the weathervane.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Depicting an Indian with drawn bow and dog. Silhouette of Indian with stylized head dress (hair) with ornament on forehead holding a drawn bow and arrow. There is a dog at the base of the the weathervane.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1875-1900
ID Number
CL.65.0917
accession number
256396
catalog number
65.0917

Cigar Store Indian

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875-1895
ID Number
CL.65.0995
catalog number
65.0995
accession number
256396

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