Buffalo Bull, Grazing

Artist/Maker George Catlin (American, 1796 – 1872)

Date1845

MediumHand-colored lithograph on paper

DimensionsComposition: 12 × 17 3/4 in. (30.5 × 45.1 cm) Sheet: 15 5/8 × 22 1/8 in. (39.7 × 56.2 cm) Frame: 22 7/8 × 28 1/8 × 1 in. (58.1 × 71.4 × 2.5 cm)

Credit LineBequest of Samuel Hopkins Adams, Class of 1891

Object number1959.105

Not on view

DescriptionThis noble animal, which is the largest and most formidable of the ruminating species, existing in North America since the extinction of the Mastodon race, has been the most useful in contributing to Man's subsistence; and, consequently, most probably, allowed the longest to inhabit with him those vast and almost interminable regions of forest and prairie where the Great Spirit designed them to roam together. By this portrait of a bull, which is a very faithful one, it will be seen that the American Buffalo is a very different variety of the Ox species from the buffalo of the Eastern continent, and probably closely allied to, if not exactly the same as, the European Bison. These animals, which were once spread in vast herds over nearly all of North America, from the Rocky Mountains to the shores of the Atlantic, but now confined to a much narrower limit near the base of the Rocky Mountains, extending from the Mexican provinces in the south, to the latitude of Hudson's Bay in the north, are in size somewhat above the ordinary bullock, and their flesh of a delicious flavor, resembling, and quite equal to, the best of beef. From the noble bearing and fine proportions of this animal, one instantly admits his gigantic strength, and estimates his splendid utility to man, provided he could be made to bear the yoke. Almost endless efforts have been made by eager and avaricious man to enslave this noble Animal, and humble him to the drudgery of the plough; but with the like result as with the noble Men of the same free country (almost the only living exceptions); who, if they lack the merit of meekness and docility, have had and maintained the virtue of courage to contend for their lives with civilized man, and the sternness to resist his slavery. The flesh of the Buffalo, which is easily procured, furnishes the Indians of those tracts of country over which they still roam, the means of a wholesome subsistence, and they live almost exclusively on it; converting the skins of the animals, their horns, hoofs, and bones, to the construction of dresses, shields, bows, &c. The Buffalo Bull is perhaps one of the most formidable and frightful-looking animals in the world when excited to resistance (as will be seen in some of the various phases through which he is to be passed in the following chapter of accidents and disasters that befal him), his long and shaggy mane hanging in great profusion over his neck and shoulders, and often extending down quite to the ground.

Collections

American Art

Additional Details

Alternate Titles PLATE No 2. THE AMERICAN BUFFALO.

Exhibition History 2013
Clinton, NY. Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Affinity Atlas," October 6, 2012 - April 7, 2013 (brochure).

2005
Clinton, NY. Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College. Hamilton Collects, "A Century of Curiosities: The Story of the Hamilton College Collection," September 29 - December 30, 2005 (unnumbered cat., illus., 40).

1984
Clinton, NY. Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College. "New Indian Gallery," July 10 - September 5, 1984 (no cat.).

1980
Clinton, NY. Edward W. Root Art Center. "New Indian Gallery: American Indian Art and Prints by George Catlin," April 27- May 25, 1980 (no cat.).

Provenance 1959: Hamilton College, by bequest of Samuel Hopkins Adams

Signature Signed in typeset at lower left: Catlin, del.

Inscribed Inscribed in typeset at lower center: No. 2.; entitled in typeset at lower center: BUFFALO BULL, GRAZING.; in typeset at lower center below title: Published at James Ackerman's Lithographic Rooms, 304 Broadway, N.Y.; inscribed in pencil on verso at upper left: AS X 53; in pencil on verso at lower left: HC 101