Ball Players 

George Catlin created this lithograph titled "Ball Players," which presents three Native American figures, likely prepared for or engaged in a game of lacrosse. The composition immediately draws our attention to the formal arrangement of figures, each distinctly rendered yet unified through their shared activity. Catlin's approach emphasizes linear precision and meticulous detail in the rendering of the figures, from their elaborate headdresses to the musculature of their bodies. The use of color is restrained yet purposeful, highlighting the ochre skin tones and contrasting sharply with the white and yellow of the adornments. Notably, the artwork operates within a semiotic framework where objects—such as the lacrosse sticks, body paint, and feathered skirts—function as signifiers. These elements convey deeper cultural meanings, reflecting the status, role, and identity of these individuals within their community. The deliberate arrangement of these signs, in contrast with the bare background, suggests a broader reflection on representation, and the artist's role in framing perceptions of Native American life.