# Charles Bird King artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/charles-bird-king/
Profile generated: 2026-05-31T06:22:22.375Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Birth date: 1785-09-26
- Death date: 1862-03-18
- Nationality: American
- Movements: Early American portraiture
- Common media: oil on canvas

## About Charles Bird King

Charles Bird King (1785–1862) was an American portrait painter active in Washington, D.C., best known for his portrayals of Native American leaders and tribal delegates who visited the capital. Born in Newport, Rhode Island, King developed a refined painting style shaped by Dutch influences, evident in both his portraiture and his still-life compositions. His most recognized body of work comprises portraits of prominent Native American figures, creating a visual record of individuals from numerous tribes during the early decades of the American Republic. King's Native American portraits were widely reproduced as lithographic prints in the nineteenth century, extending the reach of his imagery well beyond the original canvases. While valued as historical documents, his depictions have been noted for taking interpretive liberties in representing Native American dress and physical features, a point raised by both contemporary and modern commentators.

## Common works and media

Original oil portraits (particularly of Native American sitters and Washington, D.C. society figures), still-life paintings in the Dutch-influenced tradition, and reproductive lithographic prints after his portrait compositions. Original works are most commonly oil on canvas. Portrait miniatures may also appear, though they are less frequently documented.

## Market and appraisal context

Charles Bird King's original oil portraits of Native American sitters are the most historically significant segment of his output and are relatively scarce, which can generate strong interest at auction. His still-life paintings, reflecting Dutch compositional traditions, appear less frequently on the market and appeal to collectors of early American painting. Provenance documentation, attribution certainty, whether a portrait depicts an identified sitter, and condition all substantially affect appraisal outcomes. Reproductive prints after his Native American portraits circulated widely in the nineteenth century and typically trade at more modest levels than original canvases. Collectors should distinguish between original oils and later lithographic reproductions when evaluating works attributed to King.

## Appraisily data basis

Appraisily artist pages combine artist identity research from library authority files and museum records with auction results, sale dates, realized prices, provenance notes, and comparable lots when those records are available.

## Sources

- RKD - Netherlands Institute for Art History: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/44385
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2958563
- VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/27883084/
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500003108
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bird_King
- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n88156294