The image shows three individuals in a full-body portrait outdoors. The person in the center stands upright, holding a long, decorated staff. His hair is long, dark, and adorned with colorful feathers and beads. He wears a richly decorated garment with fringes and vibrant patterns, as well as a pair of moccasins. To his right stands a young male child, who is also upright and carries a small bow and arrows. The child's hair is long and unadorned. The child appears to be wearing minimal clothing. To the left of the central figure is a female, wearing a long dress with intricate beadwork and fringe. Her long hair is dark and straight, and she stands with her hands lightly resting by her sides. They are situated on a grassy plain, and in the background, there are two tipis with figures seated near them. The sky is open and light, suggesting a cloudy day.
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The image shows three individuals in a full-body portrait outdoors. The person in the center stands upright, holding a long, decorated staff. His hair is long, dark, and adorned with colorful feathers and beads. He wears a richly decorated garment with fringes and vibrant patterns, as well as a pair of moccasins. To his right stands a young male child, who is also upright and carries a small bow and arrows. The child's hair is long and unadorned. The child appears to be wearing minimal clothing. To the left of the central figure is a female, wearing a long dress with intricate beadwork and fringe. Her long hair is dark and straight, and she stands with her hands lightly resting by her sides. They are situated on a grassy plain, and in the background, there are two tipis with figures seated near them. The sky is open and light, suggesting a cloudy day.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

A K'nisteneux Warrior and Family

George Catlin

Date
1861/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 47 x 63.8 cm (18 1/2 x 25 1/8 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.124
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • North American Indian
  • portrait
  • Eeh-tow-ees-ka-zeet (He who has eyes behind him)
  • Kee-wet (The Cup), wife of warrior
  • K'nisteneux
  • Tse-mount (A Great Wonder), son of warrior
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 50432. 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.