Portrait of Natawista Iksina and Child

Painting

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Kentucky State Parks

Portrait of Natawista Iksina: A portrait painting of a young woman shown seated on a hillside, facing the viewer with her body angled towards the viewer's right. She holds a baby dressed in a white gown. The woman wears a black dress with a white lace collar, gold earrings, and a gold brooch at her throat. She has black hair parted in the middle with the sides in braids pinned up. In the background are woods to the viewer's right and a far-off distance to the left.
Portrait of Natawista Iksina

A portrait painting of a young woman shown seated on a hillside, facing the viewer with her body angled towards the viewer's right. She holds a baby dressed in a white gown. The woman wears a black dress with a white lace collar, gold earrings, and a gold brooch at her throat. She has black hair parted in the middle with the sides in braids pinned up. In the background are woods to the viewer's right and a far-off distance to the left.

Name/Title

Portrait of Natawista Iksina and Child

Entry/Object ID

JJA.1995.5

Description

This is an oil painting of Natawista Iksina (circa 1825-1893), also known as Medicine Snake Woman. She was the wife of Alexander Culbertson (1809-1879), an American fur trader and agent of the United States Government. The portrait is attributed to John James Audubon (1785-1851), but could also have been done by John Mix Stanley (1814-1872). The image shows Natawista seated in an outdoor setting, facing the viewer, and holding a baby dressed in a white gown. She wears a black dress with a white lace collar, gold earrings, and a gold brooch at her throat. Her black hair is parted in the middle with the sides in low braids pinned up. The background shows a wooded area to the viewer's right and a far-off distance to the left, as though Natawista is seated at an overlook. The painting is in a gilded frame. A handwritten inscription on the back of the frame may have been done by Natawista Iksina, Alexander Culbertson's wife and a relative by marriage to John M. Culbertson of Cincinnati, Ohio. The inscription says, "John M. Culbertson / from his cousin / Natawista / 1857."

Artwork Details

Medium

Wood, Canvas, Oil Paint

Subject

Portrait

Subject Person or Organization

Natawista Iksina, circa 1825-1893

Collection

John James Audubon Museum Collection

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Audubon, John James (attributed to)

Attribution

Attributed to

Role

Artist

Date made

1843 - 1843

Time Period

19th Century

Place

Location

Fort Union

State/Province

North Dakota

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Dimensions

Height

18 in

Width

16 in

Depth

2-1/4 in