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This is a painting of a warrior and a horse. The image shows a warrior with traditional attire engaged with a rearing horse. The warrior is holding a spear and shield. The horse has detailed muscular features and an ornate saddle blanket. The background is minimal to highlight the interaction. The composition emphasizes movement and traditional cultural elements. This is in style of Karl Bodmer.
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This is a painting of a warrior and a horse. The image shows a warrior with traditional attire engaged with a rearing horse. The warrior is holding a spear and shield. The horse has detailed muscular features and an ornate saddle blanket. The background is minimal to highlight the interaction. The composition emphasizes movement and traditional cultural elements. This is in style of Karl Bodmer.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

A Pawnee Warrior Sacrificing His Favorite Horse

George Catlin

Date
1861/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 47.3 x 62 cm (18 5/8 x 24 7/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.67
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • mammal
  • animal
  • Horse
  • Sacrifice
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • Pawnee
  • 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.

NGA object ID 50375. 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.