Introduction

Among the many artists who depicted the North American Indians, Charles Bird King was the first white man to record in oils the physical appearances and picturesque dress costumes of many Indian leaders of the Great Plains tribes. Charles Bird King's studio, gallery, and garden were located on Twelfth Street, between E and F Streets, in Washington, DC. Between the years 1821 and 1842, King, at the behest of Thomas McKenney, superintendent of Indian Affairs, painted the portraits of more than 143 Native American leaders. In 1816 Thomas McKenney was appointed superintendent of Indian Affairs. He implemented the Factory System and used funds from it to hire Charles Bird King to paint the portraits of Indian dignitaries brought to the capital to sign treaties giving away their land to the government. The government wanted the Indians to be friends with Washington. The best strategy was to have Indian delegations come to Washington to sign treaties with the US government.