The painting depicts an elevated point of view of a broad landscape. The horizon is high in the image, showing distant mountains against a light blue sky with scattered clouds. The brushstrokes are smooth and blended, creating depth and atmosphere. The color palette includes earthy greens and browns in the landscape, and cooler blues and grays in the mountains and sky. Close to us, a group of horses stands near trees, with figures by a river and a waterfall in the background. The middle ground contains more trees and greenery leading to the distant horizon.
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.

Falls of the Snake River

George Catlin (American, 1796 - 1872)

1855/1869

Medium
oil on card mounted on paperboard
Classification
Painting
Dimensions
overall: 46.5 x 62.2 cm (18 5/16 x 24 1/2 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
Kids profiles and older: it shows nature, places, still life or a children's book. How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art

More by George Catlin

See all

More like this

See all