Artwork
Four Angustura Indians
Four Angustura Indians is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist George Catlin. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
Following the artist's death in 1872, the work passed by descent to his daughters Clara Gregory Catlin, Louise Catlin Kinney, and Elizabeth Wing Catlin.
George Catlin executed this oil painting on card in 1862. Following the artist's death in 1872, the work passed by descent to his daughters Clara Gregory Catlin, Louise Catlin Kinney, and Elizabeth Wing Catlin. In 1912, the American Museum of Natural History purchased the piece from Elizabeth Wing Catlin.
The museum retained the painting until 1959, when it was sold through Kennedy Galleries in New York to Paul Mellon of Upperville, Virginia. Mellon subsequently donated the work to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1965, where it remains. No exhibition history or accession number is documented in the available sources.
Overview
George Catlin's Four Angustura Indians, painted in 1862, is an oil on card work mounted on paperboard. This painting presents four Indigenous figures in traditional attire, positioned around a prominent tree. The artwork exemplifies Catlin's dedicated practice of visually documenting Native American cultures and their environments, forming part of his extensive artistic record of the American West.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features four Native American individuals, depicted in traditional dress, standing near a tree that anchors the scene. This natural element places the figures within a landscape setting, characteristic of Catlin's portrayals of frontier life. Through such works, the artist aimed to capture and preserve visual records of Indigenous peoples, reflecting his interest in their distinct cultures and surroundings.
Context
Originally trained as a lawyer, George Catlin transitioned to art, becoming a prolific traveler and painter. He dedicated his career to documenting Native American life, particularly focusing on portraits of Plains Indians. His artistic endeavors followed five significant journeys through the American West during the 1830s, establishing a comprehensive visual archive of Indigenous communities and their ways of life.
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Artist & collection
Artist
George Catlin ( KAT-lin; July 26, 1796 – December 23, 1872) was an American lawyer, painter, author, and traveler, who specialized in portraits of Native Americans in the American frontier.
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