Ball-play of the Choctaw – Ball Down

George Catlin, Ball-play of the Choctaw--Ball Down, 1834-1835, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.429
George Catlin, Ball-play of the Choctaw--Ball Down, 1834-1835, oil on canvas, 19 5⁄8 x 27 5⁄8 in. (49.7 x 70.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.429
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Artwork Details

Title
Ball-play of the Choctaw – Ball Down
Artist
Date
1834-1835
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
19 5⁄8 x 27 5⁄8 in. (49.7 x 70.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group — male
  • Indian — Choctaw
  • Recreation — sport and play — ball
Object Number
1985.66.429
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.429

Artwork Description

In Choctaw lacrosse, which George Catlin witnessed in 1834, each team was cheered on by friends, family, and fans who camped at the opposite ends of the field to watch the game and bet on its outcome. Catlin noted that women did much of the wagering, which involved “knives-dresses-blankets-pots and kettles-dogs and horses, and guns.”

Works by this artist (42 items)

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William Christenberry, River House, 1980, wood, construction board, paperboard, metal, and dirt, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Benjamin P. Nicolette, 1994.92
River House
Artist
Date1980
wood, construction board, paperboard, metal, and dirt
On view
William Christenberry, 5¢, Demopolis, Alabama, 1978, chromogenic print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Benjamin P. Nicolette, 2006.31.4
5¢, Demopolis, Alabama
Artist
Date1978
chromogenic print
Not on view
William Christenberry, Memory Form, 1998, monoprint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Louis M. and Sally B. Kaplan, 2009.2.1
Memory Form
Artist
Date1998
monoprint
Not on view
William Christenberry, Church, Sprott, Alabama, 1971, printed 1981, dye transfer print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1984.26.1, © 1971, William Christenberry
Church, Sprott, Alabama
Artist
Date1971, printed 1981
dye transfer print
Not on view

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