The image shows three individuals depicted from head to toe. The central figure stands upright, with the figure on the left seated, and the figure on the right standing in a relaxed pose with a bent leg. Each individual has distinct facial features, black hair adorned with feathers, and dressed in traditional attire including decorative elements made of feathers, animal hide, or fur. The seated individual holds a bow, while the central figure holds a feather-decorated spear. All three individuals wear necklaces and have feathers in their hairstyles. The background features a subtle pastoral landscape of grass and open sky.
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The image shows three individuals depicted from head to toe. The central figure stands upright, with the figure on the left seated, and the figure on the right standing in a relaxed pose with a bent leg. Each individual has distinct facial features, black hair adorned with feathers, and dressed in traditional attire including decorative elements made of feathers, animal hide, or fur. The seated individual holds a bow, while the central figure holds a feather-decorated spear. All three individuals wear necklaces and have feathers in their hairstyles. The background features a subtle pastoral landscape of grass and open sky.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

Alaeutian Chief and Two Warriors

George Catlin

Date
1855/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 46.3 x 61.5 cm (18 1/4 x 24 3/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.169
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • Warrior
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • North American Indian
  • portrait
  • Alaeutian
  • Seals-cher-re, warrior and hunter
  • Whelts-bel-le (The Snow Walker), secondary chief
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 50477. 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.