Two Cherokee Chiefs 1861 - 1869

George Catlin created this painting of two Cherokee chiefs with oil on canvas board. The artwork reveals much about the fraught relationship between the US government and native populations in the nineteenth century. Catlin, like many artists of his time, was interested in documenting what they saw as a vanishing race, a framing that implies a certain cultural bias and political agenda. The artist toured native settlements, portraying chiefs and other figures in what he conceived to be their traditional garb. The figures are set within an idealized landscape and are meant to convey a sense of authenticity. However, we must ask how much Catlin's vision was shaped by his own cultural background and the expectations of his audience. To further understand this painting, one could explore the history of the Cherokee nation, the policies of the US government towards native tribes, and the role of art in shaping public opinion. The image speaks not only to the history of the Cherokee people but also to the complex and often problematic history of representation.