Discoloration (reddish-brown stains) in many areas of the painting. Crazing (cracks in varnish) all over image. Blisters in paint (TR corner, BR corner, TL corner) resulting in flaking of paint in some areas. Major scratches resulting in abrasion of paint in upper part of image (also abrasion of paint from the frame). Frame: very damaged, plaster ornamentation broken off in many areas, esp. on R and L sides. Also many cracks in the plaster and loss of gild. Painting and frame need cleaning from dust (1996)
Heavy accretion of dust on image and frame. Bulging of surface in TR area of painting (probably from the pressure from the back). Three tears in canvas: 24.5cm to 32cm TR X 30cm to 34.5 cm R; 33cm to 35.5cm RM; and 35cm R X 35cm B (2cm in diameter). M
Rain-in-the-Face 'Iromagaja'. The first photograph of Rain-in-the-Face, taken shortly before his arrest and incarceration at Fort Lincoln in 1874. He was one of the leaders during the Fetterman disaster of 1866, the worst defeat the U.S. Army had suffered on the frontier up to that time. His prowess as a warrior continued throughout the Sioux Wars. Wounded and lamed during the fight, he led his band against Custer, and later followed Sitting Bull into exile in Canada. Rain-in-the-Face and his followers surrendered to General Miles at Fort Keogh, Montana, in September of 1880. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
Rain-in-the-Face, 'Iromagaja' (ca. 1835-1905). Warrior of note during the Red Cloud Wars. He became known to the army through the ears of Charley Reynolds, Custer's chief scout. Reynolds overheard a boast by Rain-in-the-Face during a war dance at the Standing Rock Agency in December of 1874. 'Iromagaja' told of killing two civilians traveling with Custer's 1873 Yellowstone Expedition. The tale was reported to General Custer, then Commander of Fort Abraham Lincoln, D.T. Captain Thomas Custer (brother of the General) was ordered to arrest the chief. He was imprisoned at Fort Lincoln but he managed to escape, vowing to avenge his incarceration at the hands of Captain Custer. 'Iromagaja' united a large band of warriors and joined Sitting Bull's hostiles, where in June 1876 in the valley of Little Bighorn, it is said Rain-in-the-Face was avenged. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
Bertha Cunningham is a Western Manitoban artist who has studied at the Banff School of Fine Arts several summers and has painted in Winnipeg for periods under the guidance of members of the School of Fine Art. She paints mainly landscapes. (1969 inventory)
Dimensions
49.5 X 60.5 cm
Size Overall
63 X 73 cm
Medium
oil
Condition
Brown accretion marks on left frame arm, as well as mild brown accretion mark in TL corner of frame.
Crazing all around surface. Distinct mark indented into paint in area center. Canvas is loose from the frame. Frame has mild reddish-brown accretion marks from apparent rubbing.
canvas torn in area 8 cm TL x 5cm L side (c. 1 cm). Major scratch on TR of image (c. 2 cm). Frame - loss of plaster in BL corner, TR corner, lower R side (1996) and TM (2020)
Primary Support
canvas
Secondary Support
no backing board; frame - wood and plaster with gild
