Osceola

Description:

Oil on canvas portrait of Seminole Chief, Osceola (born Billy Powell) dressed in colorful robes, a headband holding three feathers and three ceremonial gorgets hanging around his neck. The painting is set in a simple gold leaf frame that is coated with plaster and finished with gold leaf. A plaque is attached to the bottom of the frame, "Painted from life at Ft. Moultrie in 1838 by Robert Curtis."

Curtis was sent to Fort Moultrie where Osceola was imprisoned specifically to paint his portrait in 1838. Several copies have been painted from this original over the years.

• Title: Osceola
• Creator: Curtis, Robert John, 1816-1867
• Date: 1838
• Culture: American
• School: Realism
• Dimensions: H-30.512 W-27.087 inches
• Makers Mark: notation by artist on verso, "The original portrait of Osceola - Powel, the Seminole Indian Chief; painted at Ft. Moultrie, Sullivan's Island, Jan 1838 by Robert John Curtis for Dr. R.L. Baker"

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• Collection: Fine Art Collection
• Object Name: Portraits
• Other Name: Work on canvas
• Object Id: AZ 76

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• Search Terms
  • Gorgets
  • Men
  • Native Americans
  • Portrait paintings