Great Woman: Eagle of Delight of the Otoe, c 1795-1822
In the 1820's, the Otoe were a Siouan-speaking people located in Nebraska. Their leader was Chief Shaumonekusse, who had five wives. His principle and most beloved wife was Eagle of Delight, who journeyed with him in 1822 to Washington, D.C. and had her portrait painted by artist Charles Bird King.
Native delegations to Washington were treated to a similar itinerary as diplomats. In addition to meetings with the President, members of Congress and other dignitaries, they would have their portraits painted, or later official photographs taken, as well as be the guests of honor at parties and theatrical performances. Charles Bird King, at that time considered one of the premier portraitists of Native American visitors, captured many of these likenesses. Most were men, but when Shaumonekusse brought his wife to Washington, King was thrilled to paint her portrait. Little is known of Eagle of Delight's life or how she and her husband met. However, everyone who met her remarked on her beauty and poise for a young woman. She was the mother of a small son, Mahaska, who later became a leader of the Iowa people. Soon after returning to Nebraska from Washington, Eagle of Delight caught measles and died from measles. Her son was raised by another of Shaumonekusse's wives, Female Flying Pigeon. Mahaska grew up believing that she was his mother.
Years later, Mahaska himelf was on a delegation to Washington, and saw portraits of both Eagle of Delight and Female Flying Pigeon, realizing for the first time that Eagle of Delight was really his mother. King donated two copies of the portrait to Mahaska, including one for him to return to Shaumonekusse. Thus, both men had a portrait of the woman who had touched their lives so deeply. In 1865, a fire at the Smithsonian destroyed much of Charles Bird King's work. One of his heirs donated a personal copy of the portrait to the White House in 1962. This beautiful portrait now hangs in the White House Library.
Native delegations to Washington were treated to a similar itinerary as diplomats. In addition to meetings with the President, members of Congress and other dignitaries, they would have their portraits painted, or later official photographs taken, as well as be the guests of honor at parties and theatrical performances. Charles Bird King, at that time considered one of the premier portraitists of Native American visitors, captured many of these likenesses. Most were men, but when Shaumonekusse brought his wife to Washington, King was thrilled to paint her portrait. Little is known of Eagle of Delight's life or how she and her husband met. However, everyone who met her remarked on her beauty and poise for a young woman. She was the mother of a small son, Mahaska, who later became a leader of the Iowa people. Soon after returning to Nebraska from Washington, Eagle of Delight caught measles and died from measles. Her son was raised by another of Shaumonekusse's wives, Female Flying Pigeon. Mahaska grew up believing that she was his mother.
Years later, Mahaska himelf was on a delegation to Washington, and saw portraits of both Eagle of Delight and Female Flying Pigeon, realizing for the first time that Eagle of Delight was really his mother. King donated two copies of the portrait to Mahaska, including one for him to return to Shaumonekusse. Thus, both men had a portrait of the woman who had touched their lives so deeply. In 1865, a fire at the Smithsonian destroyed much of Charles Bird King's work. One of his heirs donated a personal copy of the portrait to the White House in 1962. This beautiful portrait now hangs in the White House Library.
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