Little Bighorn, by Ousmane Sow

Vue de l'exposition "Little Bighorn, par Ousmane Sow" à Mont-Dauphin

Come face-to-face with the sculptures by artist Ousmane Sow on display in Mont-Dauphin, and relive the battle of Little Bighorn, the last Native American victory over the U.S. Federal Army in 1876.

A major work by Ousmane Sow

In 1999, Senegalese sculptor Ousmane Sow completed Little Bighorn, a series of thirty-five sculptures (23 men, 1 woman and 11 horses) in life-size or augmented form. This series of sculptures depicts scenes from the famous Battle of Little Bighorn, the last Sioux and Cheyenne victory over the US Federal Army in 1876.

All the works were sculpted using Ousmane Sow's own technique: a concrete-iron structure, melted and shaped plastic straw, then jute canvas coated with a material of his own composition.

Initially exhibited in Dakar, the work was then included in an exhibition on the Pont des Arts in Paris, which contributed to Ousmane Sow's international recognition.

His works are the culmination of patient work and long reflection on the human body. A body that he does not hesitate to triturate, deform and recreate, to bend it to what he wants to express.

Détail du visage de l'indien blessé dans l'exposition "Little Bighorn, par Ousmane Sow" à Mont-Dauphin
Olivier Guéneau - Centre des monuments nationaux

Little Bighorn in Mont-Dauphin

Since 2021, Little Bighorn has been on display (for ten years) in the attic of Mont-Dauphin's Rochambeau barracks, under the famous Philibert Delorme-style framework.

Find out more about the framework

The installation of electricity and a tour route were specially designed to accommodate the work. The sculptures were restored for several weeks before opening to the public.

The series is presented in the eastern part of the attic of the Rochambeau barracks, which, consisting of two wings, houses the heart of the battle on one side, and a number of key scenes illustrating the defeat of the American troops on the other. The artist's intention was to present the two phases of the battle separately.

The "Little Bighorn" series brings to life this exceptional episode in American history.

Sitting Bull in prayer greets you at the entrance to the first wing of the barracks. Depicted during the "Sun Dance", Sitting Bull, away from the battle, turns his back on a series of inseparable scenes:
- The scene entitled The End of a Journey, depicting an Indian rider flying to the aid of another Indian on horseback
- The scene of the Soldiers back-to-back, one firing at thewounded Indian, the other at the dismounted Horseman, while Chief Gall returns fire, leaning on his horse's leg on the ground: it's Chief Gall's riposte
- Crazy Horse is assaulted, a scene that includes Moving Robe, the only woman to have taken part in the battle, who shoots Crazy Horse's assailant
- The charge of Two Moons is a major scene in the series, with four dead horses spanned by Two Moons and his horse, attacking the immobilized Soldier and the upside-down Soldier (an Indian traitor).

At the entrance to the other wing, the bugle sounds the rising of the Indian camp, at the same time as the defeat of the American army, symbolized by The Retirement of the Soldier, which closes the tour: a soldier unsaddling his horse. This last work follows The Death of Custer and several scenes such as the Knife Fight, the Scalp Scene and theIndian Stripping a Dead Soldier.

At the far end of the gallery, a mediation area allows you to learn more about the artist's life, works and technique. You can also watch an excerpt from a documentary by Béatrice Soulé, who spent a year filming the creation of "Little Bighorn" by Ousmane Sow in the intimacy of his Dakar studio. The exhibition also includes background information on the Battle of Little Bighorn and its historical context.

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