Artwork
Seneca Chief, Red Jacket, with Two Warriors

Seneca Chief, Red Jacket, with Two Warriors 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
Seneca Chief, Red Jacket, with Two Warriors is an 1865 oil on card painting depicting Red Jacket, a Seneca leader, flanked by two warriors in a natural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Red Jacket, distinguished by his light brown robe with red trim and tall feathered headdress, alongside two companions, each with distinct attire and accessories, highlighting their individual identities and status within their culture.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on card mounted on paperboard, the work showcases Catlin's later-career emphasis on realism, evident in meticulous details of clothing, beads, feathers, and the subtle, soft blue sky background.
History & Provenance
Created in 1865 by George Catlin, an American artist known for documenting Native American life through portraits and writings, particularly during his five trips to the American West in the 1830s.
Context
Part of Catlin's broader body of work focused on Plains Indian cultures, this painting reflects his observational approach to capturing the lives and appearances of Native American figures during a period of significant cultural exchange and change.
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.

















