George Catlin

(American, 1796–1872)

George Catlin was an American artist known for his paintings of Native American culture during the early 19th century. Catlin’s primary aim was to document the tribes and landscapes of the frontier before they were altered by white settlers. “The site of the lower town, is one of the most beautiful and pleasing that can be seen in the world, and even more beautiful than imagination could ever create,” he once wrote of the Mandan tribe’s village. Born on July 26, 1796 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was a practicing lawyer but dedicated himself to portrait painting in 1823. His interest was spurred by the many artifacts brought back from the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806, which he saw in the collection of the established painter Charles Wilson Peale. Setting off in 1830 to St. Louis, Catlin began his vast project, he made over 500 paintings around the Missouri river of several tribes, including the Sioux, Iowa, Ojibbeway, and Mandan. These works captured buffalo hunts, ceremonies, and daily life. In 1838, the artist returned east and began holding exhibitions of the artifacts and paintings he had accumulated during these years. His self-titled Indian Gallery, traveled to major cities in America before touring through London, Brussels, and Paris. Catlin died on December 23, 1876 in Jersey City, NJ. Today, the artist’s works are held in the collections of the Smithsonian America Art Museum in Washington, D.C., the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, among others.

George Catlin Artworks

George Catlin (350 results)
North American Indians, ca. 1844, 1844

George Catlin

North American Indians, ca. 1844, 1844

Sale Date: March 13, 2024

Auction Closed

Tuch-ee, A Celebrated War Chief of the..., 1834

George Catlin

Tuch-ee, A Celebrated War Chief of the..., 1834

Sale Date: January 19, 2024

Auction Closed

Stampede of a Buffalo Herd, 1846–1848

George Catlin

Stampede of a Buffalo Herd, 1846–1848

Sale Date: January 19, 2024

Auction Closed

North American Indians

George Catlin

North American Indians

Sale Date: January 19, 2024

Auction Closed

Buffalo Chase, A Surround by the Hidatsa, 1830–1832

George Catlin

Buffalo Chase, A Surround by the Hidatsa, 1830–1832

Sale Date: January 19, 2024

Auction Closed

Wah-ro-née-sah, The Surrounder, Chief of the , 1832

George Catlin

Wah-ro-née-sah, The Surrounder, Chief of the , 1832

Sale Date: January 19, 2024

Auction Closed

La-wáh-he-coots-la-sháw-no, Brave..., 1852–1868

George Catlin

La-wáh-he-coots-la-sháw-no, Brave..., 1852–1868

Sale Date: January 19, 2024

Auction Closed

Buffalo Hunt, Chase, from The North American , 1844

After George Catlin

Buffalo Hunt, Chase, from The North American , 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Indians in Wolf Skins Approaching Herd of..., 1840

After George Catlin

Indians in Wolf Skins Approaching Herd of..., 1840

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Buffalo Hunt, Chase, from the North American , 1844

After George Catlin

Buffalo Hunt, Chase, from the North American , 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Ball-Play Dance, from the North American..., 1844

After George Catlin

Ball-Play Dance, from the North American..., 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Ball Play, No. 23, 1844

After George Catlin

Ball Play, No. 23, 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Attacking the Grizzly Bear, No. 19

After George Catlin

Attacking the Grizzly Bear, No. 19

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Ball Play, from the North American Indian..., 1844

After George Catlin

Ball Play, from the North American Indian..., 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Antelope Hunt, 1845

After George Catlin

Antelope Hunt, 1845

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Archery of the Mandans, 1845

After George Catlin

Archery of the Mandans, 1845

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

North American Indians, No. 1, 1844

After George Catlin

North American Indians, No. 1, 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Buffalo Hunt, Chase No. 7, 1844

After George Catlin

Buffalo Hunt, Chase No. 7, 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Buffalo Dance

After George Catlin

Buffalo Dance

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Buffalo Hunt, Surround No. 9, 1844

After George Catlin

Buffalo Hunt, Surround No. 9, 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Buffalo Hunt, Chase No. 7, 1844

After George Catlin

Buffalo Hunt, Chase No. 7, 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Buffalo Hunt, Approaching in a Ravine from..., 1844

After George Catlin

Buffalo Hunt, Approaching in a Ravine from..., 1844

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Group of four (4) lithograph prints

George Catlin

Group of four (4) lithograph prints

Sale Date: September 13, 2023

Auction Closed

BUFFALO HUNT, WHITE WOLVES ATTACKING A BUFFALO...

George Catlin

BUFFALO HUNT, WHITE WOLVES ATTACKING A BUFFALO...

Sale Date: August 26, 2023

Auction Closed