Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Charles Bird King became famous for his portraits of distinguished Native Americans. He studied with Samuel King, colonial painter, and then at age 15, ran away to New York City where he worked in the studio of Edward Savage. From 1805 to 1812, he lived in London, studying with Benjamin West and sharing a studio with Thomas Sully.

In 1816, he settled in Washington D.C., becoming the city's first significant resident artist. He did portraits of politicians and then spent 16 years on a commission to paint members of a five-tribe Indian delegation, which came to the city in 1821. The results became the basis of the National Indian Portrait Gallery. The originals bur...