Rainmaking among the Mandan

George Catlin, Rainmaking among the Mandan, 1837-1839, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.476
George Catlin, Rainmaking among the Mandan, 1837-1839, oil on canvas, 19 1⁄2 x 27 in. (49.5 x 68.6 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.476
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Artwork Details

Title
Rainmaking among the Mandan
Artist
Date
1837-1839
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
19 1⁄2 x 27 in. (49.5 x 68.6 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Architecture Exterior — domestic — hut
  • Ceremony — Indian — Rain Ceremony
  • Indian — Mandan
  • Figure group
Object Number
1985.66.476
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.476

Artwork Description

George Catlin was fascinated by the Mandan medicine men “performing their mysteries” and particularly noted the young men who “volunteer to stand upon the lodge from sunrise until sundown, in turn, commanding it to rain. Each one has to hazard the disgrace which attaches (when he descends at sundown) to a fruitless attempt; and he who succeeds acquires a lasting reputation as a Mystery or Medicine man.” (Catlin, 1848 Catalogue, Catlin’s Indian Gallery, SAAM online exhibition)

Works by this artist (33 items)

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William Gropper, Suburban Post in Winter (mural study, Freeport New York Post Office), ca. 1936-1937, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1974.28.369
Suburban Post in Winter (mural study, Freeport New York…
Artist
Dateca. 1936-1937
oil on canvas
On view
William Gropper, Construction of the Dam (study for mural, the Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.), 1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1965.18.11A-C
Construction of the Dam (study for mural, the Department of…
Artist
Date1938
oil on canvas
On view
William Gropper, Automobile Industry (mural study, Detroit, Michigan Post Office), 1940-1941, oil on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum acquisition, 1971.2
Automobile Industry (mural study, Detroit, Michigan Post…
Artist
Date1940-1941
oil on fiberboard
On view
Image Not Available
Uprooted
Artist
Dateca.1941
lithograph on paper
Not on view

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Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Artist
Date1941-1952
linocut
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Artist
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Artist
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Image Not Available
Les Quais de la Seine a Paris
Artist
Date1917
hand-colored etching on postcard
Not on view