Three Delaware Indians 1861 - 1869

George Catlin created "Three Delaware Indians" using paint, at an unknown date. The piece presents three figures against a vast, undulating landscape, encased within an oval frame. The composition, with its subdued palette, evokes a sense of calm observation. The arrangement of the figures is particularly striking. They stand almost as specimens, their attire meticulously rendered. Catlin's even brushstrokes and the overall symmetry suggest a deliberate attempt to catalogue and preserve. But what does it mean to preserve? The figures appear somewhat detached from their environment, staged as if for scientific scrutiny rather than portrayed as living, breathing individuals connected to their land. The horizon line cuts across the middle of the frame, dividing earth from sky. The flatness of the field contrasts with the detail given to the figures' garments. This highlights a tension between representation and reality. The artist's choices invite us to consider the power dynamics inherent in how cultures are depicted and remembered. Is this preservation or appropriation?