O-Kee-Pa, A Religious Ceremony; and Other Customs of the Mandans
Artist
George Catlin
(American, 1796 - 1872)
Date1867
Mediumprinted text and lithographs on paper (hand-colored)
Dimensions10 × 7 inches (25.4 × 17.8 cm)
Credit LinePurchase of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, 1992
Object number11.77.7
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
DescriptionBound brown gilt cloth; 13 colored illustrations; last Catlin publicationLabel TextCatlin wrote books recording his studies of native tribes. Other researchers disputed his descriptions of rituals of the Mandan people. He wrote this book to provide details about ceremonies to respond to his critics. He included thirteen illustrations, many of which depicted the ceremonies. Catlin explained the picture across from the title page as three portraits of Mandans in their ordinary clothing. Catlin believed that the Mandan tribe was “now extinct.” The tribe had suffered from a smallpox outbreak, but members did survive. Today, the Mandan people are part of the Three Affiliated Tribes.
ProvenanceThe artist; gifted 1868 to William H. Vesey, U.S. Consul. unknown; purchased February 27, 1992 through (William Reese Company, New Haven, Connecticut) by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art
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