First Sailing of the Griffin on Lake Erie. August 7, 1679 by Catlin, George
George Catlin's "First Sailing of the Griffin on Lake Erie. August 7, 1679," painted in 1848, captures a significant moment in North American history.
This oil on canvas depicts the inaugural voyage of the Griffin, a brigantine built by explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. It was the first European ship to sail the Great Lakes, marking a new era of exploration and trade.
Catlin, primarily known for his portraits of Native Americans, here turned his focus to an event from 1679. His work highlights the ship against a backdrop of the lake's shoreline, where numerous Native American figures gather, observing this unprecedented vessel. The painting serves as a visual record of a pivotal encounter between European expansion and indigenous life.
It's a powerful reminder of the many perspectives present at such historic turning points. What do you see in the interactions between ship and shore?
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In 1679, a French explorer built the first European ship on the Great Lakes. He named it the Griffin, after mythical creatures. On August 7, it made its first sailing on Lake Erie. Along the shore, Native American communities watched the ship. The artist, George Catlin, captured this moment 160 years later. He documented a pivotal moment of exploration and encounter.