Vintage ‘Hunting the Buffalo’ Framed Print

The "History of the Indian Tribes of North America" was a monumental work published in three volumes between 1836 and 1844, featuring numerous lithographs by J. T. Bowen. These illustrations were based on portraits and scenes painted by artists like George Catlin and Karl Bodmer, aiming to document the diverse Native American cultures and their way of life before significant westward expansion and displacement. The prints often depicted scenes of daily life, ceremonies, and interactions with the environment, such as buffalo hunts.

This particular print, "Hunting the Buffalo," captures a dynamic moment of traditional Native American subsistence practices. The depiction of the hunter on horseback, utilizing a bow and arrow against a charging buffalo, highlights the skill and bravery associated with this vital activity. The inclusion of "America Before Columbus" suggests a romanticized or idealized view of the continent's indigenous past, often presented in such 19th-century publications.