A dramatic oil on canvas portrait by Western artist A.D.M. Cooper, signed and dated lower left “A.D.M. Cooper 1920,” depicting Black Hawk, the famed war leader of the Sauk tribe. Cooper’s portrayal blends historical reference with theatrical interpretation: the sitter wears a fringed buckskin shirt, long porcupine roach headdress, beaded shoulder straps, hoop earrings, and a presidential Indian peace medal, likely modeled after an Andrew Jackson type. Black Hawk (1767–1838) led the 1832 Black Hawk War in resistance to U.S. removal efforts, and was captured and imprisoned, later becoming a symbol of Native resistance and dignity in the 19th-century American imagination. Cooper’s signature romanticism and strong palette are on full display in this bold likeness.
Dimensions: Canvas 30 x 24 in.; Frame 39 ¼ x 33 ¼ in.
Provenance: Al and Carol Cali Collection.
Pickup & Shipping: Free Sacramento pickup. Shipping via FedEx for $350 + 1.5% insurance (unless waived in writing).
Condition
Original canvas and frame. Cleaned and conserved. Inpainting visible under UV light, primarily along edges; largest area under 1 in.