Entitled "On the Trail of Wounded Knee," black and white photos document French photographer Guy Le Querrec's two week commemorative journey along the trail that Chief Big Foot followed and tragically died on in 1890.

Le Querrec set out on horseback with the Sioux Indians to retrace the trail, step by step, through the sub-zero temperatures of the Dakota mountains. "[I] learned two of their words: cold and courage," says Le Querrec of the experience.

At a cocktail reception Tuesday evening to celebrate the month-long exhibit, the jazz-photographer-at-heart explained why he embarked on such an extreme mission: "Children always play cowboys and Indians in school, and I was always an Indian. In fact, between the ages of seven and twelve, I thought I was Geronimo."

His explanation was interrupted by a woman introducing herself as a "friend of Orville Looking Horse."

Though it may seem that equestrian imagery is a prerequisite for work exhibited at Hermes, the only real requirement is that the photographer shoot with a Leica, as Hermes acquired 31 percent of the German lens and camera manufacturer in December 2000.

"This camera has been through quite a lot," said Le Querrec, lifting his aged Leica, which he proudly wore around his neck all evening.

"On the Trail of Wounded Knee" is open to the public and runs until July 18, before moving on to Hermes' Paris store.