The image shows a landscape with a pastoral setting seen from a slightly elevated perspective. Greenery meets a pastel-colored sky near the horizon in the upper third of the composition. A line of trees with various foliage appears at the horizon, including tall palm trees silhouetted against the sky. The brushwork is delicate and detailed, capturing natural elements with a light touch. In the foreground, a field with small plants and flowers is depicted with intricate brushstrokes. Simple structures with thatched roofs are nestled within the greenery. The color palette includes soft greens, warm earth tones, and gentle sky pastels. The frame around the painting complements the landscape.
Read the visual description

The image shows a landscape with a pastoral setting seen from a slightly elevated perspective. Greenery meets a pastel-colored sky near the horizon in the upper third of the composition. A line of trees with various foliage appears at the horizon, including tall palm trees silhouetted against the sky. The brushwork is delicate and detailed, capturing natural elements with a light touch. In the foreground, a field with small plants and flowers is depicted with intricate brushstrokes. Simple structures with thatched roofs are nestled within the greenery. The color palette includes soft greens, warm earth tones, and gentle sky pastels. The frame around the painting complements the landscape.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

A Small Village of Remos Indians

George Catlin

Date
1854/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 47.2 x 63 cm (18 9/16 x 24 13/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.304
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • Village
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • South American Indian
  • landscape
  • Pampa del Sacramento
  • architecture
  • Remos
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 50612. 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.