The image depicts a riverine landscape viewed from above. The horizon is high in the image, with the sky blending warm tones and the sun shining softly. The scene features a mix of pastel colors, including blues, pinks, and light greens. Groups of people gather on a hill near the river, interacting with each other. A canoe is seen on the riverbank with people onboard. The overall color scheme includes earthy tones blending harmoniously with the water. Palms and other trees populate the area, adding to the idyllic atmosphere.
Read the visual description

The image depicts a riverine landscape viewed from above. The horizon is high in the image, with the sky blending warm tones and the sun shining softly. The scene features a mix of pastel colors, including blues, pinks, and light greens. Groups of people gather on a hill near the river, interacting with each other. A canoe is seen on the riverbank with people onboard. The overall color scheme includes earthy tones blending harmoniously with the water. Palms and other trees populate the area, adding to the idyllic atmosphere.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

A Small Lengua Village

George Catlin

Date
1854/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 46.7 x 62.3 cm (18 3/8 x 24 1/2 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.301
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • Village
  • South America
  • landscape
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • Lengua
  • South American Indian
  • architecture
  • Rio Uruguay
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 50609. 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.