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The image shows three full-body figures standing in a row. The figure on the left has arms close to the body, wrapped in a garment with a bird and a fur collar. They have straight hair past their shoulders. The center figure wears a large feather headdress, a detailed cape with a sun-like emblem, and leggings matching the cape design. Their facial features are visible under the headdress. The figure on the right stands in profile, holding a spear and shield, wearing a garment with fringes, a headband with feathers, and a neutral background.
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The image shows three full-body figures standing in a row. The figure on the left has arms close to the body, wrapped in a garment with a bird and a fur collar. They have straight hair past their shoulders. The center figure wears a large feather headdress, a detailed cape with a sun-like emblem, and leggings matching the cape design. Their facial features are visible under the headdress. The figure on the right stands in profile, holding a spear and shield, wearing a garment with fringes, a headband with feathers, and a neutral background.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

A Sioux Chief, His Daughter, and a Warrior

George Catlin

Date
1861/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 46.1 x 61.8 cm (18 1/8 x 24 5/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.2
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • Sioux
  • Nee-ne (The Trembling Sound), daughter of chief
  • North American Indian
  • portrait
  • Un-ca-to-a (The Inner Bark), warrior
  • Wan-e-ton, chief of Susseton band
Provenance

George Catlin [1796-1872]; by descent to his daughters, Clara Gregory Catlin, Louise Catlin Kinney, and Elizabeth Wing Catlin; purchased 1912 from Elizabeth Wing Catlin by the American Museum of Natural History; sold 1959 through (Kennedy Galleries, New York) to Mr. Paul Mellon, Upperville, VA; gift 1965 to the NGA.

Inscription

lower center on card: Catlin p.; lower left on card: A/87; upper center on board on applied paper: 8; lower edge on board beneath figures: c a b; upper left reverse in black ink: A/87; upper center reverse in graphite: Sioux; upper center reverse in red/orange crayon: 8; upper center reverse in graphite inverted, illegible word: [?]furer; center reverse in graphite, partially obscured by AMNH label, several illegible words

NGA object ID 50310. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.