Dying Buffalo Bull in Snow Drift, plate 17 from the "North American Indian Portfolio"

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

Publisher James Ackerman (American)

Date1845

MediumColor lithograph on paper

DimensionsComposition: 14 in. × 18 7/16 in. (35.5 × 46.8 cm) Sheet: 15 5/8 × 22 3/16 in. (39.7 × 56.3 cm)

Credit LineBequest of Samuel Hopkins Adams, Class of 1891

Object number1959.120

Not on view

DescriptionIn this view the reader is introduced to the ultimum of dreariness and severity which the hunters of the northern prairies have to contend with in the depths of winter. An intensely cold day, with dry and sand-like snow three or four feet in depth, drifting before the wind, and a herd of buffaloes laboring to plough their way through it, whilst they are urged on by a party of Indians on snow-shoes, deeply clad in furs, and dealing death to them with their spears. The dying bull in the foreground of this picture, and that in the preceding plate, were carefully sketched by my own hand whilst the animals were thus struggling with death; and I therefore confidently offer them as faithful delincations of their forms and looks, as well as fit and impressive subjects for contemplation for those who may ever have the time, and feel disposed to sympathize with the cruel destruction and extinction of this useful and noble animal.

Collections

American Art

Additional Details

Alternate Titles North American Indian Portfolio
BUFFALO HUNT. DYING BULL IN A SNOW-DRIFT.

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

Inscribed "Catlin. del:" at lower left in typeset; "No. 17./ DYING BUFFALO BULL, IN SNOW DRIFT. / Published at James Ackerman's Lithographic Rooms, 304 Broadway, N.Y." at lower center in typeset; "FUXSS" on verso at left center in pencil; "HC 116" on verso at lower left in pencil.