The Red Man's Bones: George Catlin, Artist and Showman

George Catlin, recognized as the "first artist of the West," dedicated himself to capturing the essence of Native American tribes of the Northern Plains during the 1830s. After initially painting miniatures, he focused on preserving the image of what he saw as a "vanishing race" amid government encroachment on their lands. Over six years, he produced more than six hundred portraits, showcasing the unique identities of chiefs, warriors, and families from over thirty tribes along the upper Missouri River.