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Catalog Data

Artist:
George Catlin, born Wilkes-Barre, PA 1796-died Jersey City, NJ 1872  Search this
Sitter:
White Buffalo  Search this
White Buffalo  Search this
Medium:
oil on canvas
Dimensions:
29 x 24 in. (73.7 x 60.9 cm)
Type:
Painting
Date:
1832
Luce Center Label:
“I have also transferred to my canvas the ‘looks and very resemblance’ of an aged chief, who combines with his high office, the envied title of mystery or medicine-man, i.e. doctor-magician-prophet-soothsayer-jongleur- and high priest, all combined in one person, who necessarily is looked upon as ‘Sir Oracle’ of the nation . . . on his left arm he presents his mystery-drum or tambour, in which are concealed the hidden and sacred mysteries of his healing art.” George Catlin painted this portrait at Fort Union in the upper Midwest in 1832. (Catlin, Letters and Notes, vol. 1, no. 5, 1841; reprint 1973)
Topic:
Dress\Indian dress  Search this
Indian\Blackfoot  Search this
Portrait male  Search this
Portrait male\full length  Search this
Credit Line:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Object number:
1985.66.158
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department:
Painting and Sculpture
Data Source:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7fe1f77d8-63aa-4e5c-8f4f-dba6ea664ee1
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:saam_1985.66.158