This fine stone lithograph is on a full sheet measuring 14.4" x 20.7". McKenney and Hall produced two lithographs with the same title, one showing the mother carrying the child in a baby carrier and this image depicting a mother, sitting on the ground, preparing to breast feed her baby who is secured in a cradle-board. Uncolored except for a delicate touch of red color added to blush the cheeks. A beautiful example with full margins which is rare for these lithographs because so many were trimmed and framed in the past.

Thomas McKenney & James Hall's portfolio of Indian portraits documents an important part of American History. Thomas McKenney, head of the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs for many years, was a champion of the Native Americans and fought throughout his tenure to preserve their culture. His legacy was commissioning artists such as James Otto Lewis and Charles Bird King to paint many of the native leaders when they visited Washington. After he left government office, he produced lithographs of these paintings for this publication. These lithographs are the only visual record left of these great Native Americans, as the paintings were destroyed by fire in 1865.

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Condition: A+

A fine example with a tiny edge tear at bottom, well away from the image.