Four Navaho Warriors 1861 - 1869

George Catlin made this painting, Four Navaho Warriors, using watercolor and graphite on paper. Catlin was a trained lawyer, yet left this behind to become a self-taught artist, driven by a desire to document Native Americans during a time when their ways of life were under threat, creating artworks that have become crucial cultural records. The application of watercolor, combined with graphite pencil strokes, gives depth and texture to the figures. The artist's hand is evident in the varying brushstrokes, defining form, light and shadow. The paper support also plays a role, its smooth surface allowing for a delicate rendering of details, such as the warriors' ornaments. This kind of work was made to be swiftly disseminated, and as such, bears a relationship to the wider commodification of culture that was underway at the time. By focusing on materials, making, and historical context, we gain a richer understanding of artworks, challenging traditional distinctions between documentation, fine art, and cultural record.