Comanche Warrior Lancing an Osage, at Full Speed

George Catlin, Comanche Warrior Lancing an Osage, at Full Speed, 1837-1839, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.471
Copied George Catlin, Comanche Warrior Lancing an Osage, at Full Speed, 1837-1839, oil on canvas, 19 5⁄8 x 27 1⁄2 in. (49.7 x 70.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.471
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Comanche Warrior Lancing an Osage, at Full Speed
Artist
Date
1837-1839
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
19 5⁄8 x 27 1⁄2 in. (49.7 x 70.0 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Indian — Osage
  • Figure group — male
  • Western
  • Animal — horse
  • State of being — evil — war
  • Indian — Comanche
Object Number
1985.66.471
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.471

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)