George Catlin, Comanche Warrior Lancing an Osage, at Full Speed, 1837-1839, oil on canvas, 19 5⁄8 x 27 1⁄2 in. (49.7 x 70.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.471
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Comanche Warrior Lancing an Osage, at Full Speed
- Artist
- Date
- 1837-1839
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 19 5⁄8 x 27 1⁄2 in. (49.7 x 70.0 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- oil on canvas
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Western
- Animal — horse
- Indian — Comanche
- State of being — evil — war
- Indian — Osage
- Figure group — male
- Object Number
- 1985.66.471
Artwork Description
George Catlin’s descriptions of Native Americans reveal his respect for the tribes and nations that he feared would soon vanish. “Every one of these red sons of the forest (or rather of the prairie) is a knight and lord,” he wrote, the only things which he deems worthy of his exertions are to mount his snorting steed, with his bow and quiver slung, his arrow-shield upon his arm, and his long lance glistening in the war-parade . . .” (Catlin, Letters and Notes , vol. 1, no. 4, 1841, reprint 1973; Truettner, The Natural Man Observed , 1979)