Archives On The Air 192: A Grand Carouse In The Rocky Mtn West—The Paintings Of Alfred Jacob Miller

By Wyoming Public Media

Published June 9, 2020 at 3:40 PM MDT

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In this self-portrait, Alfred Jacob Miller portrayed himself at about age 40. Photo courtesy The Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum

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In this self-portrait, Alfred Jacob Miller portrayed himself at about age 40. Photo courtesy The Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum

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Alfred Jacob Miller created this sketch of Sir William Drummond Stewart in 1837 and titled it "7th Baronet of Blair." Public domain image.

Public Domain

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Alfred Jacob Miller created this sketch of Sir William Drummond Stewart in 1837 and titled it "7th Baronet of Blair." Public domain image.

Public Domain

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Alfred Jacob Miller's oil on canvas; titled, "Hunting Grizzly Bear" showing Sir William Drummond Stewart being charged by a grizzly bear. Painting 8, Everett D. Graff Family Art Collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming. "

American Heritage Center

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American Heritage Center

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In Miller's notes, he writes of the image of "Beating a Retreat": "Although this Sioux Indian has an immense range of his own to hunt over, he is not content with it, and we find him here on the grounds of the Blackfeet."

American Heritage Center

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American Heritage Center

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Miller's oil on canvas titled, "Green River Rendezvous". Painting 3, Everett D. Graff Family Art Collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

American Heritage Center

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Miller's oil on canvas titled, "Green River Rendezvous". Painting 3, Everett D. Graff Family Art Collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

American Heritage Center

In 1837, wealthy Scots nobleman William Drummond Stewart entered the studio of young artist Alfred Jacob Miller. After lingering over a painting, he offered a compliment and departed.

Soon after the nobleman hired Miller as expedition artist for a journey to the 1837 fur trade rendezvous located near present day Pinedale.

Here beaver pelts and buffalo robes were traded for supplies, trinkets, and watered-down alcohol.

The annual event was a great meeting of cultures and a time for horse racing, spectacle, games, wagers, and story-telling. Miller described it as "a grand carouse…"

Today, Miller's sketches and paintings give us the only eye-witness visual account of the rendezvous period of the Rocky Mountain fur trade.

Learn more at UW's American Heritage Center.