Portrait of Thayendanegea, Joseph Brant by Gilbert Stuart

Production person Painted by Gilbert Stuart
Production place Painted in London
Date 1785

Description Painting; three quarter length portrait of Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant); wearing red and white feathered headdress with black headband ornamented with small silver rings; on his neck, he is wearing brown fur, which is tied with a bow at the right side. His red cloak with narrow, darker red stripes and brown fur collar is also decorated with silver rings. He wears a large white shell, an object of ritual significance to the Iroquois. Oil on canvas (framed and glazed)
Inscriptions Inscription Content: Thayandenagaa otherwise Joseph Brant War Chief of the Mohawks Inscription Comment: Top right of painting
Dimensions Height: 80.5 centimetres Width: 70.2 millimetres

Curator's comments Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) 1742-1807, son of one of the Sachems who caused so much attention at Queen Anne's court in 1710. He was educated by Eleazer Wheelock, president of Dartmouth College, and became a wise and cautious warrior and accomplished diplomat; during the revolutionary War he fought with the Americans. He visited England in 1776 and again in 1785-6, arriving in London on December 14, 1785. He was painted by George Romney, and two portraits of him by Gilbert Stuart are in existence.

Associated names Portrait of Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea)

Acquisition notes Probably given by Joseph Banks, William Blackmore or A.W. Franks

Exhibition History 1976-1977 7 Oct-16 Jan, London, The Hayward Gallery, Sacred Circles: 2,000 Years of North American Indian Art

1977 16 Apr-19 Jun, Kansas City, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Sacred Circles: 2,000 Years of North American Indian Art 2007 18 Mar-17 Jun, London, National Portrait Gallery, Between Worlds: Voyagers to Britain 1700-1850

Copy and photo from The British Museum.