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A captivating scene from the winter of 1833-1834, "Winter Village of the Minatarres" by Karl Bodmer, presents a glimpse of life at an Hidatsa settlement during Prince Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied's travels in the interior of North America. The image was published as part of Travels in the Interior of North America, a series of engravings issued in Paris by A. Bertrand; Coblenz, J. Holscher; and London by Ackermann & Co., between 1839 and 1844.
During his stay at Fort Clark on the banks of the upper Missouri River, Prince Maximilian and Bodmer visited one of the Hidatsa winter villages, likely Eláh-sa, which consisted of approximately eighty closely packed households nestled within the protective timber along the Knife River. This village was the largest of the Hidatsa settlements in the area. In the foreground, several figures, wrapped in buffalo robes, observe as two young men play the hoop and pole game—a traditional pastime that was among the most widespread and enduring games of Indigenous North America.
The figure leaning against the tree in the center foreground can be identified as Biróhkä, a Hidatsa man who appears in other works by Bodmer, including a fine watercolor portrait held at the Joslyn Art Museum.
Swiss-born Karl Bodmer was commissioned by Prince Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied to document his travels in North America, focusing on the Plains Indians. From 1832 to 1834, alongside David Dreidoppel, they journeyed across the continent, visiting important German settlements and key scientific communities. Bodmer's illustrations display exceptional skill and provide a detailed account of a way of life that was soon to disappear.
States
Rudd's 2nd state of 2, with the date in the publisher's line.
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![(North Dakota) Scalp Dance of the Minatarres [near Fort Clark, on the Missouri River]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/77692.jpg)
