Michael N. Westergard, Tribute to Karl Bodmer-Two Ravens, Hidatsa Warrior

Michael Westergard is a self-taught sculptor whose studio, the Westergard-Ragucci Bronze Studio is located in the northeast part of Montana. Westergard's work portrays the people and wildlife of the American West. A number of his bronzes are based on the watercolor paintings by Karl Bodmer (1809-1893). Bodmer traveled with Prince Maximillian zu Wied in 1832 through 1834 across nearly three-quarters of the North American continent. Bodmer's work documented the indigenous populations of the Missouri River Basin and the northern Great Plains. Westergard's bronzes bring these works "alive" as three dimensional forms.