Wash-ka-mon-ya, Fast Dancer, a Warrior

George Catlin, Wash-ka-mon-ya, Fast Dancer, a Warrior, 1844-1845, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.520
George Catlin, Wash-ka-mon-ya, Fast Dancer, a 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., 1985.66.520
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Wash-ka-mon-ya, Fast Dancer, a 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 — Strong Wind
  • Indian — Iowa
Object Number
1985.66.520
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.520

Artwork Description

Fast Dancer was among a group of Iowa warriors and their families who joined George Catlin in London in the 1840s, where the artist had traveled to exhibit and promote his Indian Gallery. The Iowa arrived in London fully equipped with clothing, domestic implements, weapons, canoes, and plenty of face paint. The handprints on Fast Dancer’s chin and cheeks probably signify that he had killed an enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

Works by this artist (150 items)

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Betty Tichich, Jules' Grocery Store and Market, 1326 33rd Street, Galveston, Texas, 1976-1977, printed 1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1456
Jules’ Grocery Store and Market, 132633rd Street,…
Artist
Date1976-1977, printed 1980
gelatin silver print
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Betty Tichich, Jules' Grocery Store and Market, 1326 33rd Street, Galveston, Texas, 1976-1977, printed 1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1466
Jules’ Grocery Store and Market, 132633rd Street,…
Artist
Date1976-1977, printed 1980
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Betty Tichich, Ferguson Drug Store (now closed), 1218 35th Street, Galveston, Texas, 1976-1977, printed 1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1389
Ferguson Drug Store (now closed), 121835th Street,…
Artist
Date1976-1977, printed 1980
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Betty Tichich, Skip's Food Store, 2902 Avenue R, Galveston, Texas, 1976-1977, printed 1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1370
Skip’s Food Store, 2902 Avenue R, Galveston, Texas
Artist
Date1976-1977, printed 1980
gelatin silver print
Not on view

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