This is a painting of a large gathering of individuals in an open landscape. The scene is set in an expansive grassy area bordered by hills under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The painting features numerous figures engaged in various activities. Some are seated, others are standing or involved in a dynamic assembly. The composition suggests motion and engagement, focusing on a central activity. This is in the style of George Catlin, known for his depictions of Native American life. The overall color palette is warm, with earthy tones dominating the foreground and cooler greens and blues framing the background.
Read the visual description

This is a painting of a large gathering of individuals in an open landscape. The scene is set in an expansive grassy area bordered by hills under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The painting features numerous figures engaged in various activities. Some are seated, others are standing or involved in a dynamic assembly. The composition suggests motion and engagement, focusing on a central activity. This is in the style of George Catlin, known for his depictions of Native American life. The overall color palette is warm, with earthy tones dominating the foreground and cooler greens and blues framing the background.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

Ball-Play of the Women - Sioux

George Catlin

Date
1861/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 46.8 x 63.5 cm (18 7/16 x 25 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.7
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • Women
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • Sioux
  • Ballgame
  • North American Indian
  • genre
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 left on card: A/94; upper center on board on applied paper: 177; upper right reverse in graphite: Var

NGA object ID 50315. 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.