Artwork
Ojibbeway Indians in Paris
Ojibbeway Indians in Paris is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist George Catlin. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
George Catlin’s 1865 oil on card, mounted on paperboard, portrays a group of nine Ojibwe individuals positioned in a line against a plain sky. The work belongs to Catlin’s extensive series of Native American portraits, created after his earlier travels documenting Plains cultures.
Subject & Meaning
The figures wear traditional regalia, including feathered headdresses, beaded necklaces, and brightly colored leggings. Their composed expressions and varied postures suggest a calm yet dynamic presence, emphasizing cultural identity within an unfamiliar European setting.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, Catlin employed glazing to build layered hues, achieving depth in the earthy tones of the clothing while allowing bright reds and greens to stand out. The simple background and folk‑art sensibility focus attention on the detailed rendering of the subjects.
History & Provenance
After his 1830s expeditions across the American West, Catlin returned to portraiture, producing works like this one in the mid‑nineteenth century. The painting remains part of his broader portfolio that records Indigenous peoples for American audiences.
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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