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Artist
John Simon, 1675 - 1751
Copy after
John Verelst, 1648 - 1734
Sitter
Sa Ga Yean Qua Rash Tow, 17th - 18th century
Date
1710
Type
Print
Medium
Mezzotint on paper
Dimensions
Image: 34.3 × 25.5 cm (13 1/2 × 10 1/16")
Sheet: 37.8 × 27.8 cm (14 7/8 × 10 15/16")
Mat (Verified): 55.9 × 40.6 cm (22 × 16")
Topic
Weapon\Gun\Rifle
Weapon\Tomahawk
Exterior\Forest
Nature & Environment\Animal\Bear
Personal Attribute\Tattoo
Sa Ga Yean Qua Rash Tow: Male
Sa Ga Yean Qua Rash Tow: Native American\Native American leader\Chief
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.74.22
Exhibition Label
Birthplace unknown
In 1710, Sa Ga Yeath Qua Pieth Tow journeyed to England with two other Mohawks and a Mohican as representatives of the Five Nation Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. Appearing before Queen Anne, the group successfully lobbied for English military assistance in combating French incursions into the Great Lakes region. To commemorate this historic diplomatic visit, the queen commissioned a painting of each man and sent dozens of engraved copies back across the Atlantic. Distributed among Indigenous and colonial communities, the engravings served as reminders of the mutually advantageous alliance between the so-called Indian Kings and the English queen.
Like his companions, Sa Ga Yeath Qua Pieth Tow is represented as a dangerous foe and a valuable friend. Combat-ready, he rests his hand on an English rifle with a gunpowder horn across his chest. At his feet is a growling bear, representing his clan, and a buried hatchet, a symbol of peace.
Lugar de nacimiento desconocido
En 1710, Sa Ga Yeath Qua Pieth Tow viajó a Inglaterra con otros dos mohawks y un mohicano como representantes de la Confederación Haudenosaunee (Iroquesa) de Cinco Naciones. Comparecieron ante la reina Ana y lograron el apoyo militar inglés para combatir las incursiones francesas en la región de los Grandes Lagos. Para conmemorar esta histórica visita diplomática, la reina encargó una pintura de cada hombre y envió docenas de copias en grabado al otro lado del Atlántico. Distribuidos entre las comunidades indígenas y coloniales, los grabados sirvieron como recordatorios de la alianza mutuamente beneficiosa entre los llamados reyes indios y la reina Ana.
Al igual que sus compañeros, Sa Ga Yeath Qua Pieth Tow está presentado como enemigo peligroso y a la vez amigo valioso. Listo para el combate, posa su mano en un rifle inglés, llevando al pecho un cuerno con pólvora. A sus pies vemos un oso rugiente, símbolo de su clan, y un hacha enterrada, símbolo de paz.
