Self-torture in a Sioux Religious Ceremony

George Catlin, Self-torture in a Sioux Religious Ceremony, 1835-1837, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.460
George Catlin, Self-torture in a Sioux Religious Ceremony, 1835-1837, oil on canvas, 19 5827 14 in. (49.769.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.460
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Self-torture in a Sioux Religious Ceremony
Date
1835-1837
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
19 5827 14 in. (49.769.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group — male
  • Western
  • Ceremony — religion
  • Ceremony — Indian
  • Indian — Sioux
  • State of being — evil — torture
Object Number
1985.66.460

Artwork Description

George Catlin painted several images of Indian rituals involving self-torture, scenes that shocked viewers when he exhibited his Indian Gallery in London. Critics accused the artist of making up such horrendous scenes as this one of a man hanging from a pole with splints and skewers running through his flesh. Catlin insisted that he indeed witnessed this event, and reported that the man had “blood trickling down over his body, which was covered with white and yellow clay . . . amidst a great crowd who were looking on, sympathizing with and encouraging him . . .” Catlin went on to explain that the man was “to stand and look at the sun, from its rising in the morning ‘till its setting at night.” If the man survived this ritual, he was cut down from the ropes and given a “liberal donation of presents.” (Truettner, The Natural Man Observed, 1979)

Works by this artist (2 items)

Paula Bartron, Red Cylinder, 2004, glass and glass powders, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Colleen and John Kotelly and Gisela and Ben Huberman, 2007.26.2
Red Cylinder
Date2004
glass and glass powders
On view
Paula Bartron, White Cylinder, 2004-2005, glass and glass powders, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur Bresler in honor of the Renwick Gallery docents, 2007.26.1
White Cylinder
Date2004-2005
glass and glass powders
Not on view

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Date1941-1952
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Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Date1976
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Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Date1977
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Les Quais de la Seine a Paris
Date1917
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