La Salle and Party, in Eight Bark Canoes, Entering the Mississippi

Artist George Catlin (American, 1796 - 1872)

Dateafter 1848

Mediumoil on heavy paper

Dimensions16 x 22 inches (40.6 x 55.9 cm)
Frame: 25 1/4 × 31 3/4 × 1 1/2 inches (64.1 × 80.6 × 3.8 cm)

Credit LinePurchase of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, 2006

Object number31.267.1

ClassificationsPaintings

Label TextCatlin painted this work as part of a historical series on the French explorer René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (1643-1687), who explored the Mississippi River and regions of Texas. In this painting Catlin depicted La Salle as he began his 1682 exploration of the Mississippi River for France. La Salle appears in the second canoe, wearing a red cloak and waving a flag. Catlin left the flag unfinished; in another version he painted the French fleur de lis on the flag.

ProvenancePurchased December 28, 2006 through (Rosenstock Arts, Denver, Colorado) by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art

On View

On view