Om-pah-tón-ga, Big Elk, a Famous Warrior

George Catlin, Om-pah-tón-ga, Big Elk, a Famous Warrior, 1832, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.114
Copied George Catlin, Om-pah-tón-ga, Big Elk, a Famous Warrior, 1832, oil on canvas, 29 x 24 in. (73.7 x 60.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.114
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Artwork Details

Title
Om-pah-tón-ga, Big Elk, a Famous Warrior
Artist
Date
1832
Location
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
  • Indian — Omaha
  • Portrait male — Big Elk — full length
  • Dress — accessory — jewelry
  • Object — weapon — axe
  • Dress — Indian dress
Object Number
1985.66.114
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.114

Artwork Description

A warrior of the Omaha tribe, Big Elk sat for his portrait, according to George Catlin, “with his tomahawk in his hand, and face painted black, for war.” Catlin probably painted this image at Fort Leavenworth (in today’s Kansas) in 1832. Big Elk also sat for artist Charles Bird King (1785-1862) some years earlier in Washington. (Catlin, Letters and Notes, vol. 2, no. 34, 1841; reprint 1973)