A Swiss Eye on the American West: The Life and Art of Karl Bodmer Johann Carl Bodmer, a name perhaps less familiar than some of his contemporaries, nevertheless holds a unique place in art history as one of the first European artists to meticulously document the landscapes and cultures of the American West. Born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1809, Bodmer’s life was inextricably linked to adventure, scientific inquiry, and a profound resp…