; Painter and Preserver of Western Native American Culture

 Westward expansion in the early 1830’s was changing the way of life for the American Plains Indians  George Catlin was convinced that unless the primitive looks and customs of the Native Americans was recorded, they would be lost forever to future generations.

Five times he journeyed west in 1830’s to paint the Plains Indians and their way of life. Catlin was the first artist to record the Plains Indians in their own territories.

Catlin admired the Plains Indians as the embodiment of the Enlightment Age idea of natural man. He created more than 500 paintings in the frontier region that was rapidly changing. When Catlin first traveled west (1830), the U. S. Congress had just passed the Indian Removal Act. This act required Indians of the Southeast to resettle west of the Mississippi River.

The mass forced migration resulted in disease, death, and extreme poverty. In addition the settlers had brought epidemics to the Indians, such as smallpox The onslaught of continued invasions from trappers, explorers, miners, adventurers and settlers further contributed to the destruction of a way of life. Indian cultures must adapt or perish, but their way of life was doomed. Catlin knew this, and painted furiously.

 During what time period did George Catlin primarily paint?  Name three circumstances contributing to the demise of the Indian way of life.  What motivated George Catlin?

 By the 1830’s and 1840’s, Catlin began displaying his Indian Gallery in Europe and in cities of the eastern United States.

 Catlin was a true advocate of the Indian way of life, BUT  The challenge of keeping his collection together without sales  And making a living Led to questionable practices.

 In the process of trying to interest large audiences, he gave in to sensationalism and exploitation, having real Native Americans perform war dances, etc. for the audiences.

 Essentially, Catlin created the first “Wild West” Show, more for the “wow factor” than for genuine compassion and concern for a dying culture.

 Throughout his life, Catlin approached the U.S. government, hoping Congress would appropriate his collection as a historical preservation of the nation’s past.

 Catlin’s goals were unrecognized.  By 1852 he was bankrupt and penniless.

 A Philadelphia industrialist paid off Catlin’s debts and donated the collection to the Smithsonian.

 Today Catlin’s paintings are recognized as a national treasure, more for the insight into a lost culture than for any other reason.

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