Artwork Details
- Title
- Comanche Giving Arrows to the Medicine Rock
- 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
- Figure group — male
- Western
- Animal — horse
- Indian — Comanche
- Recreation — sport and play — archery
- Object Number
- 1985.66.472
Artwork Description
“A curious superstition of the Camanchees: going to war, they have no faith in their success, unless they pass a celebrated painted rock, where they appease the spirit of war (who resides there), by riding by it at full gallop, and sacrificing their best arrow by throwing it against the side of the ledge.” (Catlin, 1848 Catalogue, Catlin’s Indian Gallery, SAAM online exhibition)