 Photograph of George Catlin, 1868 George Catlin papers, 1821-1890. Microfilm reels 2136-2137 |
GEORGE CATLIN |
Photograph of George Catlin, 1868 George Catlin papers, 1821-1890. Microfilm reels 2136-2137 |
GEORGE CATLIN |
| Among the most curious items found in Catlin's papers are small hand- written certificates which declare that his many portraits of American Indians are "painted from life" and the "Indian sat in the costume in which it is painted." |  |
 George Catlin papers, 1821-1890. Microfilm reels 2136-2137 |
| While Catlin certified that his
portraits were painted from life, not every critic needed proof. After Catlin’s
Indian Gallery was displayed in London, The United States Gazette reported that "the
Great and unshared merit of these sketches lies in the circumstance that there is nothing
either in the grouping or the detail in anywise imaginary, but that every scene which his
collection contains was copied by him from life, while the original was before him." [Opinions of the English and United States Press on Catlin’s North American Indian Museum; Exhibiting in the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, London.," p. 13. George Catlin Papers, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution]
George Catlin papers, 1821-1890. Microfilm reels 2136-2137. |
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Catlin's experiences depicting American Indians are also reflected through letters, notebooks, and other documents.
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Letter from Catlin, ca. 1850 George Catlin letter, ca. 1850. Microfilm reel D8. |
Catlin Notebook No. 7 containing
Catlin's translations of Indian Words George Catlin papers, 1821-1890. Microfilm reels 2136-2137 |
Page 1 of a petition to Congress from the
Arcadian Club, urging them to purchase Catlin's Indian Gallery George Catlin papers, 1821-1890. Microfilm reels 2136-2137 |
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