George Catlin, Wa-quóth-e-qua, The Buck's Wife, Wife of the Whale, 1835, oil on canvas, 29 x 24 in. (73.7 x 60.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.10
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Wa-quóth-e-qua, The Buck’s Wife, Wife of the Whale
- Artist
- Date
- 1835
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 29 x 24 in. (73.7 x 60.9 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- oil on canvas
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Portrait female — Buck’s Wife — full length
- Portrait female — Buck’s Wife
- Indian — Sauk and Fox
- Dress — Indian dress
- Object Number
- 1985.66.10
Artwork Description
“Ah-mou-a (the whale and his wife), are also fair specimens of this tribe [Sac and Fox]. Her name is Wa-quo-the-qua (the buck's wife, or female deer), and she was wrapped in a mackinaw blanket, whilst he was curiously dressed, and held his war-club in his hand.” (Catlin, Letters and Notes, vol. 2, no. 56, 1841; reprint 1973)
