Scene from the Lower Mississippi

1861/1869

George Catlin

Associated Names
George Catlin

Artist, American, 1796 - 1872

The image presents a landscape viewed from an elevated perspective, looking over a wide river winding into the distance. The horizon is positioned quite low, and the sky dominates the upper half of the scene, displaying a blend of blue with hints of pink and gray clouds. Distant trees frame the river on the horizon. Close to us, the left side features dense clusters of tall trees with green foliage, while the opposite riverbank to the right has a line of trees along the water's edge. The color palette is earthy, with shades of green for the vegetation and muted tones of brown and gray for the riverbanks and driftwood. The brushstrokes vary in intensity, softer in the sky and river, and more defined on the trees, contributing to an impressionistic effect.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on card mounted on paperboard

  • Credit Line

    Paul Mellon Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 45 x 63 cm (17 11/16 x 24 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1965.16.196


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

George Catlin [1796-1872]; by descent to his daughters, Clara Gregory Catlin, Louise Catlin Kinney, and Elizabeth Wing Catlin; purchased 1912 from Elizabeth Wing Catlin by the American Museum of Natural History; sold 1959 through (Kennedy Galleries, New York) to Mr. Paul Mellon, Upperville, VA; gift 1965 to the NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1970

  • Extended loan for use by the Ambassador, U.S. Embassy residence, Dublin, Ireland, 1970-1975.

1975

  • Extended loan for use by the Ambassador, U.S. Embassy residence, Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 1975-1978.

1984

  • Extended loan for use by Justice John Paul Stevens, The Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1984-2019

Bibliography

1970

  • American Paintings and Sculpture: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1970: 32.

1980

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1980: 101, repro.

1992

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 88, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q20188575

You may be interested in

Loading Results