Joseph Tayadaneega called the Brant, the Great Captain of the Six Nations

Description:

Joseph Tayadaneega called the Brant, the Great Captain of the Six Nations. London, 1779.
Mezzotint portrait engraved by John Raphael Smith (baptized 1751-1812) after the painting by George Romney (1734-1802),the sheet toned, plate mark visible, recently cleaned, restored, matted, and framed, with the report from the conservator, all edges of the sheet visible, 14 1/2 x 20 1/4 in.
This sensitive portrait of the Mohawk Chief, Captain Joseph Brant, or Thayendanegea (1743-1807) derives from a portrait painted by Romney when Brant visited London with the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the province of New York, Sir William Johnson (c. 1715-1774). In London, dressed in his traditional Mohawk clothes, Brant participated in something of a publicity tour. He was interviewed by James Boswell and received his Masonic apron directly from King George III. Brant is shown here wearing a feathered headdress, armbands, a sash, a gorget, and other embellishments; he holds a tomahawk in his right hand. The original painting is now housed at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Lord George Germain (1716-1785),the unfortunate Secretary of State for America, representing the Crown during the American Revolution, arranged to have this print version of the Romney portrait engraved, and gave Brant a box of the copies as a gift.
Estimate $3,000-5,000


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