"Among the exhibitions organized to mark the recent opening of Renzo Piano's addition to the High Museum of Art is one with a regional focus: "The Indian Gallery of Henry Inman" features 19th-century oil portraits of southeastern Indian leaders, including Creek and Cherokee chiefs who held sway over north Georgia before being forced to new lands west of the Mississippi. The small but fascinating show -- which is in the museum's older wing -- includes paintings, lithographs and textiles and is on view through April 16.

Many of the tribal leaders here at the High were "mixed-blood," with at least some European ancestry; their shirts have collars, and peace medals awarded by the president hang from many of their necks. The swarthy Creek warrior Selocta seems almost piratical in his red-and-black sash and rare facial hair -- he was Gen. Jackson's translator and guide during the First Creek War of 1813-14. The Yuchi/Creek/Scottish Timpochee Barnard also fought on the side of the Americans. Not so Menawa (or "Me-Na-Wha," as his painting is labeled); he was known as "Crazy War Hunter" for his fearless exploits. Wounded and left for dead at Horseshoe Bend, he was one of the few Creek "Red Sticks" leaders who survived Andrew Jackson's great victory on the Tallapoosa River. In 1825 Menawa led a party of Creeks who killed some of their own chiefs for signing away their lands at the Treaty of Indian Springs. (Also on view are portraits of Cherokee father and son Major Ridge and John Ridge, assassinated for signing another treaty, which led to their tribe's removal in the infamous "Trail of Tears.")"

Get the Story:
Portraits of Native-American Leaders (The Wall Street Journal 3/15)

Relevant Links:
High Museum of Art - http://www.high.org