Stán-au-pat, Bloody Hand, Chief of the Tribe

George Catlin, Stán-au-pat, Bloody Hand, Chief of the Tribe, 1832, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.123
Copied George Catlin, Stán-au-pat, Bloody Hand, Chief of the Tribe, 1832, oil on canvas, 29 x 24 in. (73.7 x 60.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.123
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Artwork Details

Title
Stán-au-pat, Bloody Hand, Chief of the Tribe
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
  • Dress — Indian dress
  • Indian — Arikara
  • Portrait male — Bloody Hand — bust
  • Object — weapon — dagger
Object Number
1985.66.123
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.66.123

Artwork Description

George Catlin described Bloody Hand, chief of the Arikara tribe, as having “his face painted with red vermilion, scalping-knife in his hand,” and “wearing a beautiful dress.” Catlin was fortunate to meet Bloody Hand and his daughter when they were visiting the smaller of two Mandan towns. Since 1823, when traders from the American Fur Company allied with the Sioux to attack and destroy their village, the Arikara had harbored “hostile and deadly” feelings toward all whites. Catlin painted Stán-au-pat at an Arikara village in 1832. (Catlin, 1848 Catalogue, Catlin’s Indian Gallery, SAAM online exhibition)