CATLIN'S INDIAN PAINTINGS

CATLIN'S INDIAN PAINTINGS. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1796, George Catlin worked briefly as a lawyer while he taught himself to paint portraits. From 1830 to 1838, Catlin roamed west of St. Louis, traveling thousands of miles and painting about 470 portraits and scenes of Native American life, most of which are at the Smithsonian Institution. Beginning in 1837, he exhibited the paintings—which form a superb record of Native American life—in North America and Europe. He not only sketched his subjects and collected artifacts, but wrote a substantial text, Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Conditions of the North American Indians, issued in 1841. In 1844, he issued a portfolio of lithographs in London. Through exhibitions and his two publications, his work became well known.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Catlin, George. Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians. New York: Penguin Books, 1989. Originally published by the author in 1841.

Catlin, George. North American Indian Portfolio: Hunting Scenes and Amusements of the Rocky Mountains and Prairies of America. New York: Abbeville Press, 1989. Originally published by the author in 1844.

Dippie, Brian W. Catlin and His Contemporaries: The Politics of Patronage. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1990.

Millichap, Joseph R. George Catlin. Boise, Idaho: Boise State University, 1977.

Troccoli, Joan Carpenter. First Artist of the West: Paintings and Watercolors from the Collection of the Gilcrease Museum. Tulsa, Okla.: Gilcrease Museum, 1993.

Truettner, William H. The Natural Man Observed: A Study of Catlin's Indian Gallery. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1979.

Georgia BradyBarnhill

See alsoArt: Painting .