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Show 53 the buffalo robe worn over the right shoulder. The figure in Tableau 27, however, is animated, crouching, and holds an axe in his left hand. Another reference Vogel might have used is the central figure in another sketch of six unidentified figures also in the Newberry Library collection.32 a third sketch, again unidentified, shows two very roughly drawn crouching figures, each with one leg extended backwards, and cloaked in striped robes.33 The markings of the robe worn by the figure in Tableau 27 are elaborate and detailed, yet no reference in Bodmer's portfolio has been found for this design. The second unidentified figure in Tableau 27 presents similar problems. Seated immediately below Sfh-Chida at the far right of the image, the figure is totally obscured by the undecorated buffalo robe he is wearing. Hunched over with head down, his hair falls forward, covering his features. This figure adds no real information to the image and was almost certainly used as staffage. However, tracing the references used for this figure's development can be instructive. Several watercolors and sketches in Bodmer's original portfolio bear some resemblance to this seated figure. However, none of these is a sketch of either Mandans or Minnetarees, the only Indians which could reasonably be expected to be present at the dance. The first possible reference is a watercolor sketch of two seated Ponca Indians, wrapped in buffalo robes.34 Another is an ink, pencil, and wash sketch which included a study of a similarly seated and robed Piegan Indian.3^ A third possible--and the most likely-reference is of a fully developed portrait figure, the use of which might be thought to be consistent with Bodmer's method for developing |