Artwork
Amusing Dance - Saukie
Amusing Dance - Saukie 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
Amusing Dance - Saukie is an 1865 oil painting on card mounted on paperboard by George Catlin, depicting a scene of Native American cultural activity.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a group of individuals in traditional Saukie (Sauk) attire, including feathered headdresses and loincloths, engaged in a communal dance, capturing a moment of cultural expression.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on card mounted on paperboard, the work reflects Catlin's observational approach, characterized by detailed rendering of costumes and accessories against a nuanced, cloudy sky.
History & Provenance
Created during Catlin's later career, following multiple journeys to the American West in the 1830s, the painting is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington.
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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