CHARLES RINALDO FLOYD (GEORGIA, 1797-1845) PORTRAIT OF A NATIVE AMERICAN, watercolor and ink on paper, a rare period depiction, partially en grisaille, of a fierce warrior scowling at the viewer, pipe tomahawk raised in his right hand, signed and inscribed in lower margin "The Smile of Savage Triumph / Chas. Floyd, Sept. 8, 1832". Fitted with mat and housed in a modern frame. Dated 1832. 5" x 4 3/4" sight, 11 1/4" x 10 3/4" OA.
Provenance: From an East Coast collection.
Catalogue Note: Charles Rinaldo Floyd (October 14, 1797-March 22, 1845) was a noted duelist, soldier, and artist. He was the second son of General John Floyd who commanded the 1st Division of the Georgia Militia. Charles joined the Marines in 1818, leaving in 1824 upon receiving an appointment as aide de camp to his father. He later served with distinction in the Seminole Wars and was an early settler of Florida. His papers are held by the Georgia Historical Society, and the Marine Corps Museum owns his self-portrait drawn in 1825.
As the Philadelphia Print Shop label accompanying the present work indicates, "Floyd's primitive abilities betray an intense hatred for the Indians, and that emotion is typical of most early settlers in Jacksonian America. The Indian's physiognomy is emphasized by the color, and the face is of a savage imbued with animal cruelty. The man's arm is crudely drawn, but the preciseness of his tomahawk shows a fascination and a familiarity with the enemy's weapon. An extraordinary document of Georgia and Florida history."

Excellent overall visual condition with very minor toning. Not examined out of frame.