On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Omaha Boy
Karl Bodmer Swiss
Not on view
"Omaha Boy" reflects much love and pride by the child’s doting family. He is well dressed and wears a made-just-for-him small quillwork or metal bracelet on his chubby wrist. A soft, downy eagle feather, metal earrings, and red paint signify his family’s status. Around him he wears a softly tanned and warm buffalo robe. "Omaha Man", in contrast, bears the marks of recent grief. Loose-hanging hair, no distinct facial markings, carelessly draped cloth blanket, and a vacant expression tell the story. His uniquely Omaha moccasins with large instep flaps, made from single pieces of soft, resilient leather, also remain unadorned. Yet he stands straight and tall, signifying his inner strength.
—Wynema Morris
(Omaha Tribal Member)
Adjunct Professor of Native American Studies, Nebraska Indian Community College
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