The painting shows a river flowing past high cliffs with canoes carrying people. The perspective is slightly elevated, offering a wide view of the scene. The river is filled with canoes arranged in a horizontal line. The cliffs and river dominate the composition, with a sky full of light clouds in the background. The brushstrokes are smooth and precise, depicting the landscape realistically. The color palette includes rich greens for the cliffs, pale blues and grays for the river and sky, and warm earthy tones for the canoes.
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.

Father Hennepin and Companions Passing Lover's Leap. April 1680

George Catlin (American, 1796 - 1872)

1847/1848

Medium
oil on canvas
Classification
Painting
Dimensions
overall: 37.8 x 56.2 cm (14 7/8 x 22 1/8 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