A Lagoon of the Upper Amazon 1854 - 1869

George Catlin painted "A Lagoon of the Upper Amazon," using oil on canvas. The work presents a view of the Amazon, a region then becoming increasingly known through scientific and exploratory expeditions. Born in the late 18th century, Catlin initially trained as a lawyer, but he would become known for his later work as an artist and author who specialized in depictions of Native Americans. Given this background, how do we interpret this image of the Amazon? Is it simply an exotic landscape? Or, does it represent a specific encounter, perhaps shaped by colonial ambitions? Historians often study journals, letters, and expedition records to understand artworks like this. By understanding the social and institutional contexts, we can better appreciate how artists like Catlin not only documented but also interpreted the world around them.