
Read the visual description
The image shows a forest scene from a slightly elevated viewpoint. The horizon is low in the composition, blocked by tall trees and dense foliage. To the left, a dark body of water can be seen. Fine brushstrokes capture intricate details of the trees and landscape with precision. The color palette is dark, with deep blues and greens, and a warm glow coming from a light source among the trees to the right. Figures are gathered around the light source, creating a focal point. The scene conveys a serene and mysterious forest setting, possibly at night or during twilight.
National Gallery of Art · Painting
Bivouac of a Sioux War Party
George Catlin
- Date
- 1861/1869
- Medium
- oil on card mounted on paperboard
- Dimensions
- overall: 47.2 x 62.3 cm (18 9/16 x 24 1/2 in.)
- Classification
- Painting
- Accession number
- 1965.16.16
- Credit line
- Paul Mellon Collection
- Time span
- 1851 to 1875
- Department
- CAB
Subjects and terms
- painted surface
- American
- North American Indian
- military
- American Paintings, Catlin
- Sioux
- Lake Calhoun
- landscape
- War Party
- Bivouac
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/106; upper center on board on applied paper: 408
NGA object ID 50324. 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.