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Karl Bodmer’s American West

20 Masterpieces That Hung in
Vice President Cheney’s Home at the Naval Observatory

During Vice President Dick Cheney’s tenure at the Naval Observatory, our collection of Karl Bodmer aquatints was proudly on display, alongside George Catlin’s renowned portraits of American Indians. The second floor of the residence even served as a medical center in case of a cardiac emergency.

When I visited with my daughter Augusta at age 12, she met Lynne Cheney and, without hesitation, asked if she could watch cartoons—a moment that remains unforgettable.

Now, we are honored to present 20 of the finest Bodmers, masterpieces that capture the American West in vivid detail.

Graham Arader

Owner and Founder of Arader Galleries

The Legacy of Karl Bodmer

Karl Bodmer (1809–1893) was a Swiss-born artist whose meticulous and evocative works stand as some of the most important visual records of 19th-century Native American culture and frontier landscapes. Accompanying the German explorer Prince Maximilian of Wied on an expedition up the Missouri River from 1832 to 1834, Bodmer created stunning aquatints that document the people, customs, and landscapes of the Great Plains. His unparalleled attention to detail and respect for his subjects set his work apart, offering an invaluable glimpse into a world that was rapidly changing.

Today, Bodmer’s aquatints remain among the most sought-after depictions of early America, prized by collectors and historians alike.