
Read the visual description
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.