Artwork
Painting the Tobos Chief
Painting the Tobos Chief 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
The institution retained the work until 1959, when it was sold through Kennedy Galleries in New York to Paul Mellon of Upperville, Virginia.
George Catlin painted "Painting the Tobos Chief" in 1872, executing it in oil on card mounted on paperboard. The work remained in the artist's possession until his death that same year, after which it passed by descent to his three daughters, Clara Gregory Catlin, Louise Catlin Kinney, and Elizabeth Wing Catlin. In 1912, the American Museum of Natural History acquired the painting through a purchase from Elizabeth Wing Catlin.
The institution retained the work until 1959, when it was sold through Kennedy Galleries in New York to Paul Mellon of Upperville, Virginia. Six years later, in 1965, Mellon gave the painting to the National Gallery of Art, where it has since remained in the collection.
Painting the Tobos Chief is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The work entered the museum's collection through a gift in 1965 from Paul Mellon, following its purchase in 1959 from Kennedy Galleries, New York, and earlier provenance that traces back to George Catlin and his descendants. Its accession number is not specified in the available records. Exhibition history is not documented in the sources consulted.
Overview
George Catlin's Painting the Tobos Chief, created in 1862, is an oil on card mounted on paperboard. This work, rendered in the American folk art tradition, presents a portrait of a Native leader. It features a figure in a boat alongside a tree, reflecting Catlin's enduring commitment to depicting indigenous subjects and their cultures throughout his artistic career.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on the Tobos Chief, depicted prominently in a red jacket while seated in a boat near a tree. Catlin consistently aimed to portray tribal leaders with dignity, emphasizing their individual presence rather than relegating them to incidental details within a scene. This approach underscores his broader objective of documenting and honoring Native American life and leadership.
Technique & Style
Executed with oil on card, which was then mounted onto paperboard, the artwork aligns with the straightforward aesthetic of American folk art. A notable visual element is the striking contrast between the bright red jacket worn by the chief and the dark water surrounding his boat. This sharp juxtaposition effectively draws the viewer's attention to the central figure, enhancing his prominence.
Context
George Catlin, originally trained in law, transitioned to painting with a specific focus on documenting Native American life on the American frontier. His extensive travels through the American West in the 1830s resulted in numerous portraits and written observations of Plains Indian communities. This later work from 1862 demonstrates his sustained dedication to indigenous themes, extending beyond his initial expeditions.
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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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