Riccarree Chief and His Wife

George Catlin

National Gallery of Art

The image shows two figures depicted from head to toe standing side by side. On the left is a man with long hair adorned with a feathered headdress. He has a mustache and a stern facial expression, and he is wearing elaborate traditional clothing decorated with colorful beadwork and fringes. The man is holding a pipe and a large ceremonial shield, which is also decorated with feathers. Next to him is a woman with long dark hair, wearing a dress with beaded detailing and fringes at the hem. Her hands are clasped together in front of her. She wears several strands of necklaces. In the background are several dome-shaped structures, likely traditional dwellings, with faint figures or bundles in front of them. The sky is light blue with some clouds, and the ground is grassy featuring light, earthy tones.