The image shows five individuals, each depicted in full-length form. Two individuals are standing on the left side. One has crossed arms, and the other is holding a staff. In the center, a seated individual holds a staff with feathers, looking towards another individual who is gesturing with one hand extended. The individual on the far right stands with a shawl draped over one shoulder. All five have distinctive hair styles with orange and black feathered extensions. They wear garments with fringes, vibrant patterns, and beads or necklaces. The background features a softly colored sky and hints of earth tones, suggesting a natural landscape with no distinct landmarks visible.
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The image shows five individuals, each depicted in full-length form. Two individuals are standing on the left side. One has crossed arms, and the other is holding a staff. In the center, a seated individual holds a staff with feathers, looking towards another individual who is gesturing with one hand extended. The individual on the far right stands with a shawl draped over one shoulder. All five have distinctive hair styles with orange and black feathered extensions. They wear garments with fringes, vibrant patterns, and beads or necklaces. The background features a softly colored sky and hints of earth tones, suggesting a natural landscape with no distinct landmarks visible.

National Gallery of Art · Painting

Black Hawk and the Prophet - Saukie

George Catlin

Date
1861/1869
Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 46.4 x 62.4 cm (18 1/4 x 24 9/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Accession number
1965.16.314
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CAB

Subjects and terms

  • painted surface
  • American
  • American Paintings, Catlin
  • North American Indian
  • portrait
  • Saukie
  • Black Hawk
  • Keeokuk
  • The Prophet
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 50622. 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.