Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah - Black Hawk A Saukie Brave

Art Historical Context

**Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or Black Hawk, A Saie Brave** (1838) is a striking lithographic print by Alfred M.y, a Philadelphia-based artist active in the mid-19th century known for his detailed portraits and natural history illustrations. This work captures the dignified likeness of Black Hawk, a prominent Sauk (Sac) leader, adorned with traditional elements like earrings, a necklace, and a U.S. peace medal— of both his cultural heritage and interactions with American authorities. A book in the portrait may allude to Black Hawk's dictated autobiography, *Life of Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak* (1833), one of the earliest Native American narratives in English. Created just after Black Hawk's death in 1838, the print reflects the intense public fascination with him following the Black Hawk War of 1832. As a fierce defender of Sauk lands in Illinois and Wisconsin, Black Hawk resisted U.S. removal policies, leading to his capture and a highly publicized tour across the eastern U.S. These portraits, part of a broader tradition of printed imagery, helped shape non-Native perceptions of Native leaders during a turbulent era of expansion and conflict. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, this piece highlights the power of printmaking to democratize portraiture, making Black Hawk's image accessible to a wide audience. It invites reflection on themes of resistance, diplomacy, and cultural exchange in early American history. (198 words)