Magnificent Clay Bluffs, 1800 Miles above St. Louis

George Catlin, Magnificent Clay Bluffs, 1800 Miles above St. Louis, 1832, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.370
George Catlin, Magnificent Clay Bluffs, 1800 Miles above St. Louis, 1832, oil on canvas, 11 1⁄8 x 14 1⁄2 in. (28.4 x 36.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.370
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Magnificent Clay Bluffs, 1800 Miles above St. Louis
Artist
Date
1832
Location
Dimensions
11 1⁄8 x 14 1⁄2 in. (28.4 x 36.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — river
  • Landscape — mountain
  • Western
Object Number
1985.66.370
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.370

Artwork Description

George Catlin was captivated by the landscape along the Missouri River, which was so different from his native Pennsylvania. He described this view of the naturally formed “domes” and “towers” as “one of the most grand and beautiful scenes of the kind to be met with in this country.” He supposed that the black line above the water was a vein of coal. (Truettner, The Natural Man Observed, 1979)

Works by this artist (3 items)

Charles Bird King, YOUNG MA-HAS-KAH. CHIEF OF THE IOWAYS., from History of the Indian Tribes of North America, ca. 1837, hand-colored lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1985.66.153,227
YOUNG MA-HAS-KAH. CHIEF OF THE IOWAYS., from History of the…
Artist
Dateca. 1837
hand-colored lithograph on paper
Not on view
Charles Bird King, NE-SOU-A-QUOIT. A FOX CHIEF., from History of the Indian Tribes of North America, ca. 1837-1844, hand-colored lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1985.66.153,273
NE-SOU-A-QUOIT. A FOX CHIEF., from History of the Indian…
Artist
Dateca. 1837-1844
hand-colored lithograph on paper
Not on view
Charles Bird King, Tah-Chee (Dutch), A Cherokee Chief, from History of the Indian Tribes of North America, ca. 1837, hand-colored lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1985.66.153,298
Tah-Chee (Dutch), A Cherokee Chief, from History of the…
Artist
Dateca. 1837
hand-colored lithograph on paper
Not on view

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