George Catlin, Shó-me-kós-see, The Wolf, a Chief, 1832, oil on canvas, 29 x 24 in. (73.7 x 60.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.22
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Shó-me-kós-see, The Wolf, a Chief
- Artist
- Date
- 1832
- 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
- Dress — Indian dress
- Dress — accessory — jewelry
- Indian — Kansas
- Portrait male — Wolf — bust
- Occupation — other — chief
- Object Number
- 1985.66.22
Artwork Description
George Catlin identified Shó-me-kós-see, The Wolf, as “a chief of some distinction, with a bold and manly outline of head; exhibiting, like most of this tribe, an European outline of features, signally worthy the notice of the enquiring world. The head of this chief was most curiously ornamented, and his neck bore a profusion of wampum strings.” (Catlin, Letters and Notes, vol. 2, no. 34, 1841; reprint 1973)
