Mired Buffalo and Wolves

1861/1869

George Catlin

Associated Names
George Catlin

Artist, American, 1796 - 1872

The image depicts a vast landscape with a horizon line dividing the sky and prairie fields. Large herds of buffalo are scattered on the plains, visible as dark silhouettes. The ground is covered in green vegetation and trees, with brushstrokes indicating movement. Wolves are gathered around a fallen buffalo, depicted in detail. The color palette includes earthy greens and browns for the ground and trees, contrasting with pastel blues and pinks of the sky.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on card mounted on paperboard

  • Credit Line

    Paul Mellon Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 46.2 x 62.9 cm (18 3/16 x 24 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1965.16.213

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

1967

  • Catlin, Bodmer, Miller: Artist Explorers of the 1830's, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska, 1967-1974.

1989

  • A Gallery Revived: North American Indian Paintings by George Catlin, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming, 1989.

1990

  • North American Indian Paintings by George Catlin (NGA National Lending Service exhibition), Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, 1990-1991.

1992

  • North American Indian Paintings by George Catlin (NGA National Lending Service exhibition), Palm Springs Desert Museum, 1992-1993.

1993

  • North American Indian Paintings by George Catlin (NGA National Lending Service exhibition), Boise Art Museum, Idaho, 1993.

1994

  • North American Indian Paintings by George Catlin (NGA National Lending Service exhibition), Hofstra Museum, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, 1994.

  • North American Indian Paintings by George Catlin (NGA National Lending Service exhibition), West Bend Gallery of Fine Arts, Wisconsin, 1994.

1995

  • North American Indian Paintings by George Catlin (NGA National Lending Service exhibition), Payne Gallery, Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1995, unnumbered brochure.

  • North American Indian Paintings by George Catlin (NGA National Lending Service exhibition), Lore Degenstein Gallery, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, 1995.

2009

  • Extended loan for use by President Barack Obama, The White House, Washington, D.C., 2009-2017.

Bibliography

1970

  • American Paintings and Sculpture: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1970: 33.

1980

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1980: 86, repro.

1992

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 77, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q20188541

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