There are at least two other versions of this portrait; one is in a private collection, the other is unlocated. One of the versions, an earlier painting commissioned by Miller’s patron, William Drummond Stewart, was exhibited at the Apollo Gallery in New York City in 1839, two years after Miller’s trip west. A contemporary review in The New York Weekly Herald listed “Big Bowl” as one of only three Indian portraits exhibited, all of which the reviewer considered, “Very capital portraits” and “full of the Indian character.” (Ross, XXIII) Both Miller and Stewart must have considered this painting to be among the best of the artist’s Indian portraits if Miller recommended it for inclusion in this, only the second exhibition of Miller’s western paintings.
