The image shows a group of eight full-body depictions of Native American men standing and walking together. They are positioned in a line with subtle variations in stance and direction, indicating movement. The men have distinct facial features with dark, straight hair adorned with red and black feathers. Their hair is styled into mohawks or pulled back. They are wearing traditional attire, including fringed skirts, beaded necklaces, and bracelets. One of the men is holding a spear, while another holds a circular shield decorated with patterns, and a smaller hand-held fan-like object. Some men have bows and arrows. The men are set against a light background with pastel tones. The scene is framed with a simple grey-green matte.
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The image shows a group of eight full-body depictions of Native American men standing and walking together. They are positioned in a line with subtle variations in stance and direction, indicating movement. The men have distinct facial features with dark, straight hair adorned with red and black feathers. Their hair is styled into mohawks or pulled back. They are wearing traditional attire, including fringed skirts, beaded necklaces, and bracelets. One of the men is holding a spear, while another holds a circular shield decorated with patterns, and a smaller hand-held fan-like object. Some men have bows and arrows. The men are set against a light background with pastel tones. The scene is framed with a simple grey-green matte.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

Amusing Dance - Saukie

George Catlin

Date
1861/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 45.5 x 61.7 cm (17 15/16 x 24 5/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.130
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • Dance
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • North American Indian
  • ceremony
  • Saukie
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 50438. 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.