
Read the visual description
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.