Artwork
Mohigan Chief and a Missionary
Mohigan Chief and a Missionary 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
Mohigan Chief and a Missionary is a painting created by George Catlin in 1865 using oil on card mounted on paperboard. It depicts a seated figure alongside a standing companion.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a Mohigan chief and a missionary, highlighting their cultural differences through their attire and surroundings. The chief wears traditional clothing, including a feathered headdress, while the missionary is dressed in dark, formal attire with a red sash.
Technique & Style
The work is characteristic of Catlin's portrait style, which often featured individuals from Native American communities. The contrast between the subjects' clothing and settings is a deliberate compositional choice, emphasizing their distinct cultural backgrounds.
History & Provenance
George Catlin traveled extensively throughout the American West in the 1830s, documenting Native American life through paintings and written accounts. Mohigan Chief and a Missionary reflects his long-standing interest in cross-cultural encounters.
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
