George Catlin, Shon-ta-yi-ga, Little Wolf, a Famous Warrior, 1844-1845, oil on canvas, 29 x 24 in. (73.7 x 60.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.521
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Shon-ta-yi-ga, Little Wolf, a Famous Warrior
- Artist
- Date
- 1844-1845
- 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
- Portrait male — Little Wolf
- Indian — Iowa
- Object Number
- 1985.66.521
Artwork Description
Between 1844 and 1845, fourteen members of the Iowa tribe joined George Catlin’s tour of London and Paris. In France, their achievements were impressive: the whole party met King Louis Philippe, Catlin installed the Indian Gallery in the Louvre, and he exhibited works in the prestigious Paris Salon. However, Europe held tragedy as well. Several people in Catlin’s entourage died of disease or illness. Shon-ta-yi-ga, an Iowa warrior, experienced heartbreak that paralleled Catlin’s own. Both men lost a wife and a son while on this trip. Catlin’s quest cost him not only personally, but financially, and he was thrown into debtors’ prison in 1852.
