La Salle Driving the First Bolt for the Griffin. January 26, 1679 by Catlin, George

Catlin, George · 1847/1848

George Catlin, an artist known for his detailed documentation of Native American life, also turned his brush to pivotal moments in American history. This painting, "La Salle Driving the First Bolt for the Griffin. January 26, 1679," created in 1847/1848, depicts the commencement of the first sailing ship on the Great Lakes.

Look closely at the central figure, René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, poised with an axe. He is captured in the act of driving the very first bolt, symbolizing the start of a significant expedition. Around him, other figures are at work, preparing the raw materials for the vessel.

This act marked the beginning of the Griffin, a ship intended to expand French influence and trade routes into the North American interior. Catlin, primarily celebrated for his extensive journeys to the American West in the 1830s to paint Plains Indian culture, occasionally depicted scenes like this, offering a different lens on the frontier narrative.

Details

Other men are already at work, cutting logs for the vessel.

The Griffin marked the beginning of French trade routes into the interior.

But he also painted key moments in early American history, like this one.

The winter setting emphasizes the harsh conditions and the challenging nature of the expedition.

Transcript

In 1679, a French explorer began building the first ship on the Great Lakes. This painting captures René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, with an axe. He is driving the very first bolt for his ship, the Griffin. Other men are already at work, cutting logs for the vessel. The Griffin marked the beginning of French trade routes into the interior. Artist George Catlin specialized in documenting Native American life. But he also painted key moments in early American history, like this one.