Cochimtee Chief, His Wife, and a Warrior 1855 - 1869

George Catlin created this painting, "Cochimtee Chief, His Wife, and a Warrior," in the 19th century using oil on canvas. Catlin, who worked at a time when the US government was pushing policies of Native American removal, aimed to document the appearance and customs of Native American tribes. The work shows three individuals in a staged, formal arrangement; a chief, his wife, and a warrior. Catlin's paintings were made for a largely white audience, reflecting a prevalent fascination with and misunderstanding of Native American cultures. The figures are presented as noble yet exotic, reinforcing stereotypes. The artist presents them as proud individuals but also exoticizes them. This approach reveals much about the power dynamics and the colonial gaze that shaped such representations. To fully understand this painting, one must consider the historical context of its creation. By researching Catlin's journals, letters, and exhibition history, we can better interpret his motivations. This enables us to understand how cultural biases and social conditions influence artistic production and interpretation.