Sioux Worshiping at the Red Boulders

George Catlin, Sioux Worshiping at the Red Boulders, 1837-1839, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.470
George Catlin, Sioux Worshiping at the Red Boulders, 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., 1985.66.470
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Artwork Details

Title
Sioux Worshiping at the Red Boulders
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 — Sioux
  • Indian — Dakota
  • Ceremony — Indian
  • Ceremony — religion
  • Western
  • Figure group
Object Number
1985.66.470
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.470

Artwork Description

“A large boulder and two small ones, bearing some resemblance to a buffalo cow and two calves, painted red by the Indians, and regarded by them with superstitious reverence, near the ‘Coteau des Prairies.’” George Catlin probably sketched this scene on his journey to the Pipestone Quarry (in today’s Minnesota) in 1836. (Catlin, 1848 Catalogue, Catlin’s Indian Gallery, SAAM online exhibition)

Works by this artist (6 items)

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Jules Allen, Untitled (police subduing man), from the series Hats and Hat Nots, 1987, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1994.62, © 1987, Jules Allen
Untitled (police subduing man), from the series Hats and…
Artist
Date1987
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Jules Allen, Untitled NYC (125th and 7th Ave.) (baby bottle in coat pocket...), from the series Hats and Hat Nots, 1990, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1994.22.3, © 1990, Jules Allen
Untitled NYC (125th and 7th Ave.) (baby bottle in coat…
Artist
Date1990
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Jules Allen, Untitled NYC (125th St. and 5th Ave.) (men on street/steps...), from the series Hats and Hat Nots, 1991, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1994.22.4, © 1990, Jules Allen
Untitled NYC (125th St. and 5th Ave.) (men on street/​steps…
Artist
Date1991
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Jules Allen, Untitled NYC (137th Street) (three figures), from the series Hats and Hat Nots, 1987, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1994.22.1, © 1987, Jules Allen
Untitled NYC (137th Street) (three figures), from the…
Artist
Date1987
gelatin silver print
Not on view

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