PEE-CHE-KIR, A CHIPPEWA CHIEF., from History of the Indian Tribes of North America

Art Historical Context

Behold *Pee-Che-Kir, A Chippewa*, a striking hand-colored lithographic print from the renowned series *History of the Indian of North America* (1836–1844), by Thomas L. McKenney and Hall. Created around 1843 and now housed in the Smithsonian American Art, this portrait captures the dignified presence of Pee-Che-Kir, a leader of the Chippewa (Ojibwe) people. McKenney, former Superintendent of Indian Trade, commissioned original oil paintings by artist Charles Bird King from Native delegates visiting Washington, D.C., which were then lithographed to reach a wider audience. These prints hold immense historical significance as some of the earliest and most detailed visual records of Native American leaders before widespread displacement by U.S. expansion. Pee-Che-Kir's portrait highlights traditional Chippewa attire—elaborate feathers, beadwork, and regalia—preserving cultural identity amid rapid change. The lithographic technique allowed for vivid color and fine detail, making these works both artistic achievements and ethnographic treasures. Today, this piece invites visitors to reflect on Native resilience and the complex legacy of 19th-century documentation, blending portraiture's intimacy with broader narratives of American history.