Comanche War Party on the March, Fully Equipped

George Catlin, Comanche War Party on the March, Fully Equipped, 1846-1848, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.596
Copied George Catlin, Comanche War Party on the March, Fully Equipped, 1846-1848, oil on canvas, 2027 38 in. (50.869.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.596
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Artwork Details

Title
Comanche War Party on the March, Fully Equipped
Date
1846-1848
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2027 38 in. (50.869.4 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Keywords
  • Figure group — male
  • Animal — horse
  • Indian — Comanche
  • State of being — evil — war
Object Number
1985.66.596

Artwork Description

George Catlin’s descriptions of Native Americans reveal his respect for the tribes and nations that he feared would soon vanish. “Every one of these red sons of the forest (or rather of the prairie) is a knight and lord,” he wrote, the only things which he deems worthy of his exertions are to mount his snorting steed, with his bow and quiver slung, his arrow-shield upon his arm, and his long lance glistening in the war-parade . . .” (Catlin, Letters and Notes, vol. 1, no. 4, 1841, reprint 1973; Truettner, The Natural Man Observed, 1979)