In the late 1930s, Sharp wrote this note to Frank Phillips about this portrait of aa Blackfeet man: "Medicine man; spiritual and political advisor with a character of great beauty. Broad minded and progressive and worked hard with his people for advancement. Cooperated with the Government to get the Indians to raise good stock instead of scrub. A drawback of all Indian tribes I have known was their hesitation and reluctance to improve their mode of living." (Woolaroc archives)
Another portrait of this Blackfeet sub-chief can be seen in #469.
The dating is determined because of the signature style which is related to works after 1902.
Chief Marrow Bones
Record ID: 551
Date: ca. 1903-1905
Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: 12 x 18 in.
Signature / Inscription: LL: J.H.SHARP.
Owner: Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, Bartlesville, OK
Accession Number: GRA-77
Provenance:
The artist; Frank Phillips, Bartlesville, OK, 1939; present owner, 1939