Artist:

George Catlin, born Wilkes-Barre, PA 1796-died Jersey City, NJ 1872  Search this

Medium:

oil on canvas

Dimensions:

19 1/2 x 27 in. (49.5 x 68.6 cm)

Type:

Painting

Date:

1837-1839

Luce Center Label:

George Catlin was fascinated by the Mandan medicine men “performing their mysteries” and particularly noted the young men who “volunteer to stand upon the lodge from sunrise until sundown, in turn, commanding it to rain. Each one has to hazard the disgrace which attaches (when he descends at sundown) to a fruitless attempt; and he who succeeds acquires a lasting reputation as a Mystery or Medicine man.” (Catlin, 1848 Catalogue, Catlin’s Indian Gallery, SAAM online exhibition)

Topic:

Figure group  Search this

Indian\Mandan  Search this

Ceremony\Indian\Rain Ceremony  Search this

Architecture Exterior\domestic\hut  Search this

Credit Line:

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.

Object number:

1985.66.476

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/vk7593cad09-d76d-4b9c-b4a5-0bcdc2e76ff3

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:saam_1985.66.476