George Catlin (1794-1872), North American Indian 19 Attacking the Grizzly Bear

George Catlin (1794-1872)

Attacking the Grizzly Bear

From: North American Indian Portfolio
London: 1844-48
Hand-colored lithograph
11 1/8 x 7 inches, 27 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches framed

George Catlin (American, 1796–1872):
The First Artist of the American West

This hand-colored lithograph is an extraordinary individual plate from GeorgeCatlin’s North American Indian Portfolio, widely regarded as one of the mostsignificant artistic and historical works documenting Indigenous cultures andthe American frontier. Published in 1844, this portfolio was the culminationof Catlin’s years of travel, during which he immersed himself in the lives andcustoms of nearly 50 Native American tribes between the Great Plains and theRocky Mountains. Each lithograph, rendered with meticulous detail and vividcolor, is a window into the daily lives, ceremonies, and environments of thesecommunities at a time of profound cultural and territorial change in NorthAmerica.

Catlin’s upbringing in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania—a crossroads between thecultivated East and the untamed frontier—fueled his lifelong fascination withNative American life. His mother, Polly Sutton, survived captivity during the1778 Battle of Wyoming, a harrowing episode of the Revolutionary War in whichsettlers were attacked by British forces and their Native allies. Her stories,along with the constant flow of trappers, hunters, and settlers passingthrough the region, deeply influenced Catlin’s understanding of the Americanwilderness and the people who called it home.

Though Catlin initially followed a traditional path, studying law atLitchfield Law School and practicing briefly in Philadelphia, his artisticpassion and desire to explore the West soon overpowered his legal career.Self-taught as an artist, Catlin found success as a miniaturist portraitist inPhiladelphia before embarking on a transformative journey westward in 1830.During this expedition, he met famed explorer William Clark (of Lewis andClark) in St. Louis, who provided Catlin with invaluable knowledge about theuncharted lands and their inhabitants.

The North American Indian Portfolio: A Cultural Landmark

Catlin’s North American Indian Portfolio was first published in 1844,featuring hand-colored lithographs based on his field sketches. This portfoliowas groundbreaking in its scope, capturing the diversity of Indigenous lifethrough portraits, ceremonial depictions, and scenes of daily activity. Eachlithograph is both a work of art and an ethnographic document, reflectingCatlin’s deep respect for the communities he encountered. At the time, Catlinviewed his work as a critical mission, believing it was his duty to preservethe history of Native American cultures that were rapidly being displaced bythe westward expansion of the United States.

The lithographs were created using cutting-edge printing techniques of theera, ensuring vibrant colors and fine details. The original edition was acommercial and artistic triumph, securing Catlin’s reputation as one of theforemost chroniclers of the American West. The portfolio’s significanceextended beyond its initial publication, with later editions, including the1875 release, ensuring that Catlin’s vision reached audiences across theglobe.