Defile of a Camanchee War Party 1861 - 1869

George Catlin made this painting, Defile of a Camanchee War Party, using oil on canvas, at an unknown date. It presents a romantic vision of Native American life, but we must consider it in the context of Catlin’s career and the social conditions of 19th-century America. Catlin aimed to document the appearance and customs of Native Americans, amidst the pressure of western expansion. Here, the Comanches are presented as a noble war party, but how does this image reflect or challenge the dominant narratives of the time? Does it critique the policies that dispossessed native peoples or does it reinforce certain stereotypes? Understanding the full picture requires looking at historical documents, colonial records, and of course, the perspectives of the Native American people themselves. By exploring these resources, we can understand the complex social and institutional forces that shaped the art of the American West.