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The image shows a scene along the bank of a river. A long boat is near the water's edge with individuals onboard, with smoke rising from it. Other figures are on a grassy area, possibly gathering or at an event. In the distance, there is a settlement with huts among greenery. The horizon has tall trees against a blue sky. The brushstrokes are detailed, showing clear figures and landscape. The color palette includes greens, browns, and blue, creating a harmonious natural scene.
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The image shows a scene along the bank of a river. A long boat is near the water's edge with individuals onboard, with smoke rising from it. Other figures are on a grassy area, possibly gathering or at an event. In the distance, there is a settlement with huts among greenery. The horizon has tall trees against a blue sky. The brushstrokes are detailed, showing clear figures and landscape. The color palette includes greens, browns, and blue, creating a harmonious natural scene.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

A Mayoruna Village

George Catlin

Date
1854/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 55.1 x 78 cm (21 11/16 x 30 11/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.282
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • Village
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • South American Indian
  • architecture
  • Mayoruna
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 50590. 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.