CATLIN AND CARY, THE PIONEER PAINTERS
ONE OF CATLIN’S INDIANS
A second trip the next season inspired Catlin to still a third, in 1832, when he ascended the Missouri on a steamer, to the mouth of the Yellowstone. He returned some two thousand miles in a canoe with a companion, and on the trip sketches were made of the Crows, Blackfeet, Sioux, and Iowas. It was all a revelation to Catlin, who made a serious study of the savage as far as his artistic equipment permitted. Subsequent trips followed, and in 1836 he accompanied a detachment of the first regiment of Mounted Dragoons to the Comanches and other tribes. These visits of course were at a time when the Indians were in a primitive and picturesque condition, before the change that was to come subsequently through association with the whites. The result was an enormous collection of drawings and paintings, together with many written accounts and descriptions of manners and customs, and for years Catlin reigned supreme in a field that no one had hitherto explored.
Catlin, however, was far more interesting from a historical standpoint than from any artistic conception he gave to his theme. With his indifferent training, unfortunately, he lacked imagination. He recorded what he saw, then a great novelty to the public; but his work now arouses little emotion. For years, however, engravings of his drawings, colored reproductions, and photographs were the only data for reference, and as the artist was scrupulously correct in all details of adornment, local color, costume and implements, manner of life and ceremonials, his work still has considerable value. The modern men do not by any means scorn taking a hint from him. In the Centennial Exhibition in 1876, a great showing of Catlin’s work was more or less in the nature of a sensation.
The next painter of the West was William de la M. Cary, who in 1861 made a trip across the plains with an army officer. There was still plenty of excitement, and the traveler had to be prepared against both wild man and beast. Mr. Cary made many sketches in the manner of Catlin, and sent home illustrations to the magazines, occasionally recording the humorous side of his adventures. His sketches were well received and appreciated.