Watchdog, from Eaux-Fortes Animaux & Paysages

Paris: Jules Géruzet, 1860. Etching on cream laid paper, 3 1/2 x 5 inches (88 x 121 mm), full margins. Minor uniform age tone. Printed by George Bertauts, Paris.

[Beraldi II.140.24]
Henri Béraldi Les graveurs du XIXe siècle: Guide de l'amateur d'estampes modernes. Librairie L. Conquet, vol. XII, Paris, 1885-1892, cat. no. 34, p. 140. Well known in his native Germany as a watercolorist, Karl Bodmer had a rich experience exploring in North America in the 19th century, accompanying German explorer Prince Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied as the official artist on an expedition which toured the Missouri River and its environs from 1832 until 1834. The expedition resulted in a plethora of highly detailed and accurate paintings, and 81 aquatints which focused on the towns, people, customs and Native Americans they encountered along the way. These works served to illustrate Prince Maximilian's book, entitled Maximilian Prince of Wied's Travels in the Interior of North America. The illustrated expedition notes were printed in German in 1839, and an English translation in 1843. After the expedition ended, Bodmer returned to Europe, and became aligned with the French landscaping group the Barbizon School. During this time he focused on animal and landscape motifs, and indulged his printmaking skills, producing a large body of engravings, drawings, and whimsical book illustrations. For his contributions in art Bodmer was Knighted by the French Legion of Honour in 1877.