Penciled on cardboard backing: Chief Bull Child -- GREAT MEDICINE MAN of the BLACKFEET-MONTANA. Penciled on paper glued to backing: Bull Child, greatest Medicine Chief of Blackfeet - 1904-5 during one meeting, there were hundreds of painted teepees in a mile circle. A 4 day rain blew down & washed out many teepees. Bull Child and his rival Medicine Man and followers danced all day & night to stop the rain, and Bull Child finally won out and enhanced his reputation; on the second piece of paper: 2 - Bull Child- Sketch of his ceremonial Robe- Buckskin, eagle feathers & vermin tails- The emblems represented the sun, moon and morning star (Sun worshippers). For some time I "dickered" for his robe, but Wissler over bid and it is in N.Y. Nat. Hist. Museum; in pencil on the third piece of paper: Blackfeet in general- During summers of 1900-1905 advanced students of the Indians were at the Agency & over Reservation- Clark Wissler, head of N.Y. Nat. Hist. Museum Walter McClintock, Ethnologist, Arthur Nevin, Composer of Indian Opera & music- and others for shorter visits- We took advantage of many opportunities, rec'd Indians confidence & had no difficulties getting what we wanted - hence the many important portraits & genre studies".
Bull Child, Blackfoot; [Chief Bull Child]
Record ID: 361
Date: 1904
Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: 16 3/4 x 12 3/4 in.
Signature / Inscription: CR: J.H.SHARP / 1904
Owner: Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK
Accession Number: 0137.499
Provenance:
The artist; Thomas Gilcrease, Tulsa, OK; The Thomas Gilcrease Foundation; present owner by gift, 1964
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