Distinguished Crow Indians

George Catlin

National Gallery of Art

This painting shows a group of seven people standing closely. The people all have light brown skin and long black hair. On the far left appears to be a child with their back to us, holding a thin bow and arrow. On the far right is a slightly shorter figure than the other adults, perhaps a woman, holding a small dog or similar animal in her arms. The five people in the center are all of similar heights, and they all wear similar clothing with some slight differences. They are draped with tan fabric with uneven edges and some sections of brown fur over long tan pants. Their tan garments are adorned with colorful decorations that include geometric shapes and the outlines of people and animals. Some have feathers in their long hair or on their clothing, and some hold animal pelts. The skin on their faces, torsos, and arms is painted with red and black lines, and they are all adorned with jewelry, including several strands of necklaces, multiple earrings, and thick bracelets. The person second from the right is dressed in the most decorated clothing, which includes illustrations of people on horseback. They also have the longest hair, and a large bird that looks like an eagle is perched on their back behind their head. The ground is painted in soft lines of pale green and yellow, and the sky is light blue with pale gray and pink clouds. The painting is contained in a gray and black oval outline, beyond which is beige paper surrounded by a pale green border.