Old Menomonie Chief with Two Young Beaux by Catlin, George
George Catlin, a lawyer-turned-artist, dedicated his life to documenting Native American life on the American frontier in the 1830s. His painting, *Old Menomonie Chief with Two Young Beaux* (1861/1869), now at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, is a testament to his ethnographic interest.
Here, an elder chief from the Menominee tribe is accompanied by two younger men, each holding objects suggesting their roles within the community. The scene conveys a calm, contemplative atmosphere, typical of Catlin's observational style.
Catlin's work often combined personal observation with a simplified aesthetic. He meticulously recorded details, even including subtle cataloging information directly on his paintings, like the initials 'A' and number '210' found in the lower left corner of this piece.
His extensive visual record of Plains and Great Lakes tribes remains a significant contribution to 19th-century American folk tradition. What other details do you notice?
Details
Transcript
This painter was obsessed with documenting Native American life. He traveled the American frontier in the 1830s, creating portraits. This is an Old Menomonie Chief with two younger men. Many of his paintings contain hidden details. Look closely in the lower left corner. The artist's initial 'A' and number '210' are cataloging information.