The image shows a group of Native American men gathered closely together in a dance formation. They are positioned facing slightly towards the right, with their full bodies visible. Some have bent knees and various arm poses suggesting movement. Their faces are visible, featuring a range of expressions, adorned with body paint and feathers. The men have long, dark hair styled with feathers. They are dressed in natural-colored, fringed garments decorated with feathers and painted designs. The background consists of softly blended earth tones transitioning to a lighter blue sky, with green grass beneath their feet.
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The image shows a group of Native American men gathered closely together in a dance formation. They are positioned facing slightly towards the right, with their full bodies visible. Some have bent knees and various arm poses suggesting movement. Their faces are visible, featuring a range of expressions, adorned with body paint and feathers. The men have long, dark hair styled with feathers. They are dressed in natural-colored, fringed garments decorated with feathers and painted designs. The background consists of softly blended earth tones transitioning to a lighter blue sky, with green grass beneath their feet.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

Bear Dance - K'nisteneux

George Catlin

Date
1861
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 46.5 x 61.2 cm (18 5/16 x 24 1/8 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.134
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • North American Indian
  • ceremony
  • K'nisteneux
  • Dance, Bear
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 50442. 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.