Comanche War Party, Chief Discovering the Enemy and Urging his Men at Sunrise

George Catlin, Comanche War Party, Chief Discovering the Enemy and Urging his Men at Sunrise, 1834-1835, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.459
Copied George Catlin, Comanche War Party, Chief Discovering the Enemy and Urging his Men at Sunrise, 1834-1835, 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., 1985.66.459
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Artwork Details

Title
Comanche War Party, Chief Discovering the Enemy and Urging his Men at Sunrise
Artist
Date
1834-1835
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
  • Animal — horse
  • State of being — evil — war
  • Western
  • Figure group — male
  • Indian — Comanche
Object Number
1985.66.459
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.459

Artwork Description

During the spring and summer of 1834, Catlin traveled with the United States cavalry on what the government called a peacemaking expedition. A regiment of dragoons was sent to foster trade and peace in the lands of the Comanche, Kiowa, and Wichita in present-day Oklahoma. George Catlin probably painted this work in his studio during the winter following the dragoon expedition.