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previous post discussed a lithograph print by Swiss artist Peter Rindisbacher (1806-1834) created during his journey to central Canada. Entitled
Indians Gathering Wild Rice and Shooting Wild Fowl, a surviving copy is in the collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Indians Gathering Wild Rice and Shooting Wild Fowl, 1832
Peter Rindisbacher - Canadian (born in Switzerland), 1806–1834
Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery
Acquired with funds from the Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Naylor
G-90-452
The print was originally published on page 57 of
American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine (Vol. IV, No. 2, October 1832) now available on Archive.org.
Indians Gathering Wild Rice and Shooting Wild Fowl, 1832
Peter Rindisbacher - Canadian (born in Switzerland), 1806–1834
American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine
(Vol. IV, No. 2, October 1832)
Source Link
Closeup of Stern paddle using a bobble grip
Along with the image is a brief article submitted by a reader providing additional details. The language used is typical of the time and may be considered offensive by today's readers, but it still provides interesting details ...
Mr. Rindisbacher's drawing represents an Indian shooting only, but they frequently combine shooting, fishing and gathering the wild rice (abounding in all the lakes and many of the rivers,) in one occupation; that is to say, an Indian family goes forth in a canoe with gun and fishing gig, and the implements for gathering the rice. The head of the family sits in the bow with his gun and gig, the old lady in the stern with the paddle, and two (or one as the case may be,) squaws near midships, with sticks, two each, shaped something like wooden swords, and having left the shore, or arrived at the scene of operations, the labors commence. The canoe is paddled slowly along through the wild rice, which the two girls, by means of the sticks in their outside hands, bend over the canoe and strike off the rice with the sticks in their other hands, all this as the canoe moves on; at the same time the Indian shoots what game he can, or rather chooses, so plenty are the geese, ducks and brants, continually rising and swimming before him. If he discovers the wake of a large fish, the squaws are directed to suspend their labors in collecting the rice, and the canoe very cautiously follows the direction of him at the bow until he strikes the fish or gives up the chase.
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