
A Mandan Medicine Man
Catlin, George · American
1861/1869
- Medium
- oil on card mounted on paperboard
- Classification
- Painting
- Period
- 1851 to 1875
- Image size
- 6349 × 4921px
Description
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 border, highlighting the central action while subtly incorporating a background structure that resembles an earthen or wooden lodge. The atmosphere is serene, with muted colors suggesting a peaceful observance. This is in the style of George Catlin, known for his portraits of Native American life.
Rights & Source
Open access image from the National Gallery of Art, released under its open access program. Metadata via the NGA Open Data Program (CC0).