ON-GE-WAE. A CHIPPEWA CHIEF., from History of the Indian Tribes of North America

Art Historical Context

"ON-GE-WAE. A CHIPPEWA CHIEF" is a striking portrait from the renowned *History of the Indian Tribes North America*, published by McKenney and Hall 1836 and 1844. This graphic arts print captures the dignified bust of On-Ge-Wae, a prominent Chippewa (Ojibwe) leader the Great Lakes region. Produced around 1837–1844, it draws from original oil paintings commissioned by the U.S. government in the 1820s and 1830s, offering a rare visual record of Native American dignitaries during a time of rapid cultural upheaval. Rendered as a hand-colored lithograph—a popular 19th-century technique for reproducing detailed portraits with vibrant accuracy—the image highlights On-Ge-Wae in traditional Indian dress, pipe in hand, evoking a sense of solemn authority and introspection. McKenney and Hall's series, now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, blended ethnography with artistry, portraying chiefs as noble figures amid U.S. expansion and forced relocations. These prints hold immense historical and cultural value, preserving the likenesses and regalia of leaders like On-Ge-Wae before many tribal traditions were eroded. They invite visitors to reflect on Native resilience and the complex legacy of early American portraiture. (198 words)