The painting depicts a ceremonial gathering from an elevated perspective. The horizon line is high, showing a wide area with green hills, trees, and a vast sky with clouds. The brushwork is detailed, focusing on figures in ceremonial attire. The color palette is earthy with shades of green and brown. Groups of people are gathered, some on horseback or performing rituals. The artwork is contained within an oval frame on the canvas.

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Ball-Play Dance - Choctaw

George Catlin (American, 1796 - 1872)

1861/1869

Medium: oil on card mounted on paperboard
Classification: Painting
Dimensions: overall: 47.3 x 63.5 cm (18 5/8 x 25 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

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