This is a painting of Native Americans participating in a ceremonial gathering. The painting depicts a group of people gathered outdoors on a grassy field, encircled by hills under a sky with scattered clouds. At the forefront stands a figure adorned in traditional attire, including a feathered headdress and garments with detailed patterning. The figure appears to be holding ceremonial objects and addressing or leading the assembly. Around this central figure, the people are positioned in various postures, seemingly listening or observing attentively. The scene is framed within an oval…
Gallery mode Full size at the museum

Window mode follows your eyes with your camera, in this browser only: no picture or position leaves your device.

A Mandan Medicine Man

George Catlin (American, 1796 - 1872)

1861/1869

Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Classification
Painting
Dimensions
overall: 47 x 63 cm (18 1/2 x 24 13/16 in.)
Culture
American
Museum
National Gallery of Art, CAB
Credit line
Paul Mellon Collection
Rights
Public domain (NGA Open Access, CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art

More by George Catlin

See all

More like this

See all