Artwork
View in the "Grand Detour," Upper Missouri
View in the "Grand Detour," Upper Missouri is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist George Catlin. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
View in the 'Grand Detour,' Upper Missouri is a painting by George Catlin, created in 1865 using oil on card mounted on paperboard. It presents a serene landscape along the Upper Missouri River.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a tranquil river scene with rocky hills, small boats, and figures on a hilltop. The calm water and soft sky contribute to a peaceful atmosphere, suggesting a moment of stillness in the natural world.
Technique & Style
Catlin employed simple shapes and muted colors to achieve a calm, dreamy effect. The rough, undetailed rendering of the hills adds to the overall serenity of the scene, characteristic of a realistic approach to landscape painting.
History & Provenance
George Catlin, a lawyer-turned-painter, had previously traveled extensively through the American West in the 1830s, documenting Native American life and landscapes. This painting, created later in his career, reflects his ongoing interest in the American landscape.
Own this work as a print
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.
Bulls Fighting
Expedition Encamped on a Texas Prairie. April 1686
An Alligator's Nest
Mrs. George Catlin (Clara Bartlet Gregory)
Chief of the Taensa Indians Receiving La Salle. March 20, 1682
A Small Village - Payaguas Indians
Omaha Chief, His Wife, and a Warrior
Father Hennepin Leaving the Mississippi to Join La Salle. May 8, 1680
