While still an assistant in Henry Kirke Brown's studio, Ward began work on The Indian Hunter, his first major bronze group. A study was shown at the Washington, D.C. Art Association exhibit and bronze reductions such as the present example were cast from 1860. The enthusiastic public and critical reception of the model encouraged Ward to attempt an over-lifesize enlargement. Slight changes were made in the model and the monumental bronze was exhibited at the Paris Exposition of 1867 and at the National Academy of Design the following year. This bronze was presented to the City of New York by a group of artists and art patrons in December 1896 and was installed at the Mall of Central Park later that winter.