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.
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.