Great Hero, a chief

George Catlin, Great Hero, a chief, 1845, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.386,321
George Catlin, Great Hero, a chief, 1845, oil on canvas, 2924 in. (73.760.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.386,321
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Artwork Details

Title
Great Hero, a chief
Date
1845
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2924 in. (73.760.9 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Indian — Ojibwa
  • Portrait male — Great Hero
Object Number
1985.66.386,321

Artwork Description

“I have visited forty-eight different tribes, the greater part of which I found speaking different languages, and containing in all 400,000 souls. I have brought home safe, and in good order, 310 portraits in oil, all painted in their native dress, and in their own wigwams . . . as well as a very extensive and curious collection of their costumes, and all their other manufactures, from the size of a wigwam down to the size of a quill or a rattle.” (Catlin, Letters and Notes, vol. 1, no. 1, 1841; reprint 1973)

Works by this artist (341 items)

Carl Newman, Group of Three Nudes, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Henry Sayen and Miss Ann Sayen on behalf of Helene Zaun Newman, 1967.63.246
Group of Three Nudes
drawing
Not on view
Carl Newman, Female Nude, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Henry Sayen and Miss Ann Sayen on behalf of Helene Zaun Newman, 1967.63.308
Female Nude
drawing
Not on view
Carl Newman, Two Standing Nudes, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Henry Sayen and Miss Ann Sayen on behalf of Helene Zaun Newman, 1967.63.212
Two Standing Nudes
drawing
Not on view

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