Sitka Island Chief Katlian With His Wife

In spite of the early conflicts between the Tlingit and the Russians, by 1817 relations had restored to the extent that Tikhanov was able to paint members of both sides of the war. Perhaps not all Tlingit where comfortable with the presence of Tikhanov, but enough where willing to have their portrait painted, most notably Chief Katlian, who had led the vanguard assault during the first day of Russian-Tlingit hostilities.

In the painting Sitka Island Chief Katlian With His Wife we can see that Chief Katlain, in a bold statement of defiance, also wears a medallion. In this case, rather that signalling his submission to the Russian Empire, it represents the absolute sovereignty of him and his people. His wife sits in the background, drawn in both portrait and profile, as is typical of Tikhanov’s paintings. In the background we see the Russian fortress of Castle Hill rising from the ocean. This Russian fort marks the first European settlement of what will eventually grow to become the city of Sitka, Alaska.

By the time Tikhanov arrived aboard the Kamchatka both groups had settled into an uneasy peace, both Russians and Tlingit alike preferring the advantages brought by sustained trade over the initial disagreements which had led to the conflict.