Read the visual description
The painting shows a semi-circular gathering of figures with feathered headdresses and blankets, seated around a central figure. Low vegetation and clouds can be seen on the horizon, with soft and blended brushstrokes used throughout. The color palette includes earthy tones for the figures and tree, and lighter blues and whites for the sky and clouds.
National Gallery of Art · Painting
An Indian Council - Sioux
George Catlin
- Date
- 1861/1869
- Medium
- oil on card mounted on paperboard
- Dimensions
- overall: 47 x 63.2 cm (18 1/2 x 24 7/8 in.)
- Classification
- Painting
- Accession number
- 1965.16.217
- Credit line
- Paul Mellon Collection
- Time span
- 1851 to 1875
- Department
- CAB
Subjects and terms
- painted surface
- American
- North American Indian
- military
- American Paintings, Catlin
- Sioux
- War Council
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.
Inscription
lower left on card: A/346; upper center on board in pink paint: 367; upper center reverse in graphite, partially legible: 373; lower edge reverse in graphite, inverted: 333; center reverse in white chalk, obscured by AMNH label: 18[?]
NGA object ID 50525. 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.