Weeco Chief, His Wife, and a Warrior 1861 - 1869

George Catlin created "Weeco Chief, His Wife, and a Warrior" using oil on canvas. Catlin, working in the 19th century, dedicated much of his career to documenting Native American life, amidst the U.S. government's policy of westward expansion and forced removal. The painting offers a glimpse into the layered identities within the tribe. The subjects are adorned in traditional garments, which speak to cultural pride and resistance against the backdrop of cultural erasure. Catlin romanticizes their existence, yet he provides a visual record of their customs and social structures. Catlin said his goal was to rescue from oblivion the looks and customs of a "noble race" that were quickly disappearing. Through Catlin's lens, we are invited to reflect on the complexities of cultural representation, as well as the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities. It's an emotional reminder of the human cost of manifest destiny.