Artwork
Orejona Indians
Orejona 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 Catlin's death in 1872, the piece passed by descent to his daughters: Clara Gregory Catlin, Louise Catlin Kinney, and Elizabeth Wing Catlin.
Painted in 1874 by George Catlin, this oil work was originally held by the artist himself. Following Catlin's death in 1872, the piece 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 painting directly from Elizabeth Wing Catlin.
The museum retained the work until 1959, when it was sold through Kennedy Galleries of New York to Paul Mellon of Upperville, Virginia. Mellon subsequently donated the painting to the National Gallery of Art in 1965, where it remains in the collection.
The work titled Orejona Indians is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. According to the documented provenance, it descended through the artist’s daughters, was purchased in 1912 by the American Museum of Natural History, resold in 1959 via Kennedy Galleries to Paul Mellon, and gifted to the museum in 1965. The National Gallery of Art’s records list the piece in its holdings, though a specific accession number is not disclosed in the available sources. No exhibition history is mentioned in the cited references.
Overview
George Catlin, an American painter recognized for his depictions of Indigenous peoples, created Orejona Indians in 1862. Executed in oil on card mounted on paperboard, this painting captures a group of Orejona individuals standing casually near a tree. The work exemplifies Catlin's sustained interest in documenting Native American life, a theme central to his artistic practice throughout his career.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a relaxed gathering of Orejona Indians, offering a visual record of their presence. Catlin's careful rendering of their attire and the surrounding tree's foliage suggests an intention to convey specific details rather than generalized impressions. This focus on individual and cultural characteristics provides insight into the lives of these people, reflecting a broader artistic trend of documenting diverse cultures during the mid-19th century.
Technique & Style
Catlin employed oil on card, a medium that allowed for both detail and portability, mounted onto paperboard. His approach aligns with elements of American folk art, characterized by direct representation and an emphasis on narrative. While depicting a group, the composition functions akin to a portrait, focusing on the figures and their immediate environment within a natural setting.
Context
Before creating Orejona Indians, George Catlin had established himself through extensive travels across the American West in the 1830s. During these expeditions, he systematically documented Indigenous communities through both painting and written accounts. His earlier artistic endeavors included engravings of the Erie Canal, some reproduced via early lithography, demonstrating a consistent commitment to visual record-keeping across different subjects and regions.
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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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