Karl Bodmer was born in Switzerland and studied art there until he turned 24 when he was pegged by Prince Alexander of Wid-Newuied to accompany him to the New World. The purpose of the trip – to study the Native tribes of America.
American Adventure
Bodmer accompanied the prince throughout North America for several years learning and painting the local people along the way (81 images of them). His work embodies many native cultures we no longer see today and provide a fairly realistic & objective view of life for North American tribes during the early 19th century.
Not Really About The Horses
It’s true, Karl’s art isn’t really about the horses, but their importance in the lives of the Native people is obvious. His art is respected and his horses are beautiful.
Never To Return
Upon returning to Europe Bodner would never make the journey across the Atlantic again. Instead he went to France and fell in with a group of Parisian artists – there he spent the remainder of his life. Most of the images created on his adventure were bound together into a book which the Prince had published in 1839. Interestingly enough, much of Bodner’s work from the book can now be found on display in the US.