The image shows three figures gathered around a fire in a natural setting. One is cooking outside a conical shelter, possibly a tepee. A woman and child stand nearby. In the background, there are hills, a sky with pink and blue hues, and distant blue-green mountains. The painting has detailed brushstrokes creating texture in the trees and river. The color palette includes earthy tones, greens, and blues, with a warm glow from the fire. Small details like a canoe on the riverbank add to the calm exploration of the scene.

Gallery mode Full size at the museum

Indians Cooking Maize

American 19th Century

second half 19th century

Medium: oil on canvas
Classification: Painting
Dimensions: overall: 45.7 x 66 cm (18 x 26 in.) ; framed: 59.7 x 80 x 3.8 cm (23 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 1 1/2 in.)
Culture: American
Museum: National Gallery of Art, CAB
Credit line: Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch
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 American 19th Century

See all

More like this

See all