"John Ross. A Cherokee Chief", McKenney and Hall

This superb lithograph with watercolor is based on a painting by Charles Bird King. The portrait shows John Ross (1790-1866), a Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828 until his death. Published by Daniel Rice and James G. Clark. 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: B+

A sharp impression with full contemporary color and scattered foxing.