Iron Tail was one of several Native Americans whose profile inspired the face appearing on the United States buffalo nickel early in the 20th century.Ĭhief Iron Tail surprisingly agreed to remove his feather war bonnet for the portrait sitting with Käsebier, although the headdress and feathers were badges of his place and importance within the tribe. Later, he became friendly with Buffalo Bill and traveled with the Wild West troupe for almost 20 years.
Iron Tail was a veteran of the Indian Wars, including the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Friendships developed, and her photography of these Native Americans continued for more than a decade.Ĭhief Iron Tail was the elder chief in the group of Sioux Indians selected by Buffalo Bill Cody to visit Gertrude Käsebier's photography studio. Within weeks, Käsebier began a unique and special project photographing the Indian men, women, and children, formally and informally. She quickly sent a letter to William "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917), requesting permission to photograph Sioux Indians traveling with the show in her studio. Käsebier had spent her childhood on the Great Plains, and retained many vivid, happy memories of playing with nearby Native American children. Her new undertaking was inspired by viewing the grand parade of Buffalo Bill's Wild West troupe en route to Madison Square Garden for several weeks of performances. Käsebier was on the threshold of a career that would establish her as both the leading portraitist of her time and an extraordinary art photographer.
In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work.