Sioux Dog Feast

George Catlin, Sioux Dog Feast, 1832-1837, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.494
George Catlin, Sioux Dog Feast, 1832-1837, oil on canvas, 24 x 29 in. (60.9 x 73.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.494
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Artwork Details

Title
Sioux Dog Feast
Artist
Date
1832-1837
Location
Dimensions
24 x 29 in. (60.9 x 73.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Architecture Interior — domestic — teepee
  • Ceremony — Indian — Dog Feast
  • Indian — Sioux
  • Indian — Dakota
  • Recreation — leisure — eating and drinking
  • Western
  • Figure group — male
Object Number
1985.66.494
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.494

Artwork Description

George Catlin participated in a Sioux Indian ceremony of friendship at which a meal of dog meat was the center of the event. He explained the significance of this meal in his journal: "This feast was unquestioningly given to us as the most undoubted evidence they could give of their friendship. Knowing the spirit in which it was given, we could not but treat it respectfully, and receive it as anything but a high and marked compliment. The dog feast is truly a religious ceremony. The Indian sees fit to sacrifice his faithful companion to bear testimony to the sacredness of his vows of friendship." 

Works by this artist (11 items)

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Ralph Gibson, Untitled (Man with Beard, Closed Eyes, Tie), 1975, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.595, © Ralph Gibson
Untitled (Man with Beard, Closed Eyes, Tie)
Artist
Date1975
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Ralph Gibson, Untitled (Table Top with Water Glass and Salt Shaker), 1975, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.597, © Ralph Gibson
Untitled (Table Top with Water Glass and Salt Shaker)
Artist
Date1975
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Ralph Gibson, Untitled (Workshirt Front), 1975, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.599, © Ralph Gibson
Untitled (Workshirt Front)
Artist
Date1975
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Ralph Gibson, Untitled (Man's Face Wearing Hat and Sunglasses), 1975, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.603, © Ralph Gibson
Untitled (Man’s Face Wearing Hat and Sunglasses)
Artist
Date1975
gelatin silver print
Not on view

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Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, Untitled, ca. 1945-1950, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lewis and Jean Greenblatt, 2002.86.7
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gelatin silver print
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Jared French, Margaret French, PaJaMa, Paul Cadmus, PaJaMa (Box A), ca. 1937, gelatin silver prints, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Margaret French, 1999.98.5.16
PaJaMa (Box A)
Artist
Dateca. 1937
gelatin silver prints
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