Artwork
Three Riccarree Indians
Three Riccarree Indians is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist George Catlin. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1861, this oil painting on card, later affixed to paperboard, portrays three members of the Riccarree tribe standing outdoors.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1861, this oil painting on card, later affixed to paperboard, portrays three members of the Riccarree tribe standing outdoors.
Created in 1861, this oil painting on card, later affixed to paperboard, portrays three members of the Riccarree tribe standing outdoors. The composition includes two male figures adorned with feathered headdresses and star‑patterned robes, each holding a staff or shield, and a female figure dressed in a brightly patterned gown while carrying a basket. The background features a pale sky and a dry, sparsely vegetated ground.
Subject & Meaning
The work records a specific moment in Riccarree cultural attire, emphasizing the ceremonial dress and accessories that signify status and identity within the tribe. The inclusion of symbolic motifs such as stars and arrows on the garments reflects traditional iconography, while the grouping of the figures suggests a familial or communal relationship.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on a small card support, the artist employs bold, flat areas of color and simplified geometric forms characteristic of American folk portraiture. The brushwork is direct, with clear delineation of patterns and minimal modeling, allowing the decorative elements of the clothing to dominate the visual impact.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of a larger series produced by the artist during his extensive documentation of Native American peoples in the mid‑nineteenth century. It was created after several western expeditions undertaken in the 1830s, during which the artist gathered material for his ethnographic portraiture. The piece has remained within collections that focus on American folk art and indigenous representation.
Context
At the time of its creation, the United States was undergoing rapid expansion into western territories, leading to increased interest in recording the lives of Indigenous groups. This work reflects the broader effort to preserve visual records of tribal customs amid growing cultural displacement.
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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