George Catlin Painting, 1832 | Facing History & Ourselves
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George Catlin Painting, 1832

Painted portrait of a First Nation man in traditional attire.
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This resource is intended for educators in Canada who are teaching in English.

At a Glance

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Language

English — CA
Also available in:
French — CA

Subject

  • History
  • Genocide

George Catlin Painting, 1832

George Catlin Painting, 1832

During expeditions throughout North America in 1830, George Catlin visited First Nations and recorded their customs and appearances in painting and writing. The French poet, essayist, and critic Charles Baudelaire commented that Catlin’s paintings “captured the proud, free character and noble expression of these splendid fellows in a masterly way.” Stu-mick-o-súcks, Buffalo Bull’s Back Fat, Head Chief, Blood Tribe is Catlin’s 1832 portrait of the chief of the Blackfoot tribe, whose territory straddled the present-day border between the United States and Canada.

Credit:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., via Wikimedia Commons

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