Pawneepict Chief, Two Daughters, and a Warrior 1861 - 1869

George Catlin made this watercolor titled "Pawneepict Chief, Two Daughters, and a Warrior," using watercolor on paper. Catlin's choice of watercolor offers soft tonal effects. With thin washes and delicate strokes he captured a sense of immediacy. The paper itself is a commodity, but one readily available to Catlin. His application gives the figures a presence without weight, almost like ghosts on the page. Catlin’s artistic approach documents indigenous peoples, yet it also reflects the power dynamics of the time. He was an outsider, creating images for a Western audience. The artwork thus becomes an artifact, shaped by social and cultural context. It prompts us to reflect on the labor of representation, the role of the artist as a cultural interpreter, and the ethics of depicting others. The image invites viewers to consider not only what is shown, but how it is made. The artist’s hand, the paper, and the watercolor all contribute to the making of meaning.