Black Knife, an Apache Warrior

John Mix Stanley, Black Knife, an Apache Warrior, 1846, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Misses Henry, 1985.66.248,933
John Mix Stanley, Black Knife, an Apache Warrior, 1846, oil on canvas, 42 1252 in. (107.8132.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Misses Henry, 1985.66.248,933
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Artwork Details

Title
Black Knife, an Apache Warrior
Date
1846
Dimensions
42 1252 in. (107.8132.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Misses Henry
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Black Knife — equestrian portrait
  • Indian — Apache
  • Landscape
Object Number
1985.66.248,933

Artwork Description

Black Knife, also known as Baishan, or by his Spanish name, Cuchillo Negro, was a celebrated Apache chief. His raids on Mexico made him a nominal ally of U.S. army battalions sent to the area following the outbreak of the Mexican War (1846--48). The Apache sought to protect their ancestral lands, which had become disputed territories between Mexico and the United States.

In 1845, John Mix Stanley joined Colonel Stephen Watts Kearny's expedition through Santa Fe to California to put down Mexican uprisings. In late October 1846 Kearny's troops encountered Black Knife, here seen scouting the position of the army troops, near what is now the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. In the distance, Stanley portrays the Rio Gila, which runs through Arizona and New Mexico. Stanley based his painting on sketches he had made of the area's geological features and native plants, lending authenticity to his narrative.

Works by this artist (285 items)

Solon H. Borglum, The Heavens, 1913-1917, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Monica B. Davies and Paul Borglum in memory of Mrs. M. Nash Bly, 1968.127
The Heavens
Date1913-1917
bronze
On view
Solon H. Borglum, The Waters, 1913-1914, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Monica B. Davies and Paul Borglum in memory of Mrs. M. Nash Bly, 1968.33
The Waters
Date1913-1914
bronze
On view
Solon H. Borglum, Study for an Equestrian Monument, 1905, pen and ink, ink wash and conte crayon, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. A. Mervyn Davies, 1971.446.81
Study for an Equestrian Monument
Date1905
pen and ink, ink wash and conte crayon
Not on view

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Jeff Donaldson, Victory in Zimbabwe, 1980, mixed media on cardboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum Purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2019.1, © 2018, Estate of Jeff Donaldson
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"Prophet" Royal Robertson, Space Gun Drawing, n.d., pencil, marker, paint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1998.84.30
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