Nicholas Vincent Tsawanhonhi Principal Christian Chief and Captain of the Huron Indians established at La Jeune Lorette near Quebec.

Nicholas Vincent Tsawanhonhi Principal Christian Chief and Captain of the Huron Indians established at La Jeune Lorette near Quebec.

Nicholas Vincent Tsawanhonhi Principal Christian Chief and Captain of the Huron Indians established at La Jeune Lorette near Quebec.

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Introduction

This is a full length portrait of Nicholas Vincent Tsawanhonhi, Christian Chief and Captain of the Huron-Wendat at La Jeune Lorette. This lithograph is by Edward Chatfield and dates from 1825.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Huron-Wendat
Nation of Origin

Title of the work

 

Place of Origin: Wendake
Date Made or Date Range: 1825
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

LAC record

Materials

lithograph print; watercolour?

Techniques or Format

Lithograph print ink and possibly hand-coloured with watercolour

Motifs and Patterns

This is a full length portrait of Nicholas Vincent Tsawanhonhi, standing in a limited forest landscape. Central to the work is a wampum belt that he displays. The wampum belt, sash, medallions, headdress, ear ornaments, moccasins, and other elements of his dress are clearly drawn in great detail.

Other Notes

This print was originally by publisher J. Dickenson and sold by R. & C. Chalmers.

The LAC record also lists Charles J. Hullmandel as an artist involved with this lithograph.

Note: This record originally indicated that this was a portrait of Nicholas Vincent Isawanhonhi. With thanks to Jonathan Lainey for the correction via the GRASAC webform on October 17, 2025, this has since been amended to Nicholas Vincent Tsawanhonhi.

Dimensions: 0 × 33.1 × 45.8 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

LAC record and the lithograph itself is inscribed with the date.

Current Location: Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Mikan no. 2837382
Link to Institution's Collections Database: collectionscanada.gc.ca
Exhibition History

Exhibition title: Bo'jou Neejee: Profiles of Canadian Indian Art. Curators: Joanne Lockhead, National Museum of Man, Ottawa, Ontario; 1976. Further venue: Amon Carter Museum o fWestern Art, Fort Worth, Texas; 1978.09.29 - 1978.11.26.

Exhibition title: Un symbole de tailee: Le Fléche dans l'art canadien. Curators: Tremblay, Myriam Tétreault, Martin, Musée d'art de Joliette, Joliette, Québec. 2004.03.21-2004.08.29.

Exhibition title: Spirit and Intent: Understanding the voices, values & visions behind Canada's Aboriginal Treaties. Curators: Dr. John Borrows and Dr. J.R. Miller, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; 2007.09.24 - 2008.04.06.

Sources to Learn More

Laineiuy, Jonathan & Whitelaw, Anne. (2021). "The Wampum and the Print: Objects Tied to Nicolas Vincent Tsawenhohi’s London Visit, 1824–1825," in Beverly Lemire, Laura Peers, and Anne Whitelaw (Eds.), Object Lives and Global Histories in Northern North America: Material Culture in Motion, c. 1780-1980. McGill-Queen’s University Press, p. 176-202.

GKS Reference Number: 1017
How to Cite this Item

Maker, unrecorded. Nicholas Vincent Tsawanhonhi Principal Christian Chief and Captain of the Huron Indians established at La Jeune Lorette near Quebec. GKS ID 1017. Library and Archives Canada Mikan no. 2837382.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on November 5, 2025. It was informed by photographs and information provided by Library and Archives Canada.

Approximate Place of Origin

46.869279102, -71.347896113

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