The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-22
MIR. CATLIN's GALLERY.

MR.. CATLIN's GALLERY.
We copy the following from the National
lntelligencer, which gives a more extended
account Of the valuable collection Of this emf
nent artist, than we have found leisure to pre-
pare. As politics should always bear truce
with the Arts, we are happy to find that all par
ties unite in disposition, to purchase Mr..
Catlin's collection for the commencement of
n National Gallery--an Aboriginal Gallery,
such as no part of the world has ever yet pro-
duced or ever can again produce. And what
is more astonishing than all, gallery which
is the sole production Of single individual.
The world can furnish no parallel to the Her
culean labors Of CATLIN!
CATLIN'S INDIAN GALLERY.
j Ispent few hours the other day in the Wigwam
Of Mr.. CArIs with great pleasure and Improvement.
The collection of'Indian Portraits, American Land
scapes, Costumes &c, very far exceeded my expec-
latons. had heard, like others, of Mr.. CArLINs
4 Indian Gallery, b. had no idea that 1t was any
thing like so full, splendid curious, and interesting
as found IT, II is unquestionaby the richest and
most complete collection or Indian portraits land
scapes, dresses implements Of war, &c. in the world,
| and lis very exhibition in Europe would insure the
4
erprising artist, wihthe enthusiasm which charac-
terzes genius has devoted large portion of his life
and spent upwards twelve thousand dollars in FORM
ing the valuable collection he is now exhibiting. In
looking over it, and learning that il was the inten-
ton Of the talented and enterprising proprietor to
visit Europe with his Gallery, regretted that il was
| not in the possession of our Government and the
artist employed 10 complete the hasty but accurate
1 sketches Of the beautiful and splendid far West,
with which his collection is enriched. Fifty years
| hence it will be invaluable, and the Government
should take pride in owning and preserving It,
Mr. G.. seems to have wandered, with indefatigable
zeal and ardor over trackless praries and through
endless wilds in the execution Of his patriotic design
| of preserving from oblivion the portraits, customs,
and costumes Of race fast Fastening to exinc-
ton and he has succeeded in his laudable under
| taking
He has taken the portraits Of the principal chiefs and
remarkable women OF forty different tribes Of Indians,
amounting to three hundred and eleven near one hun
dred landscapes, and numerous sketches OF sporting
scenes, amusemens, and manners and customs all
| executed with great spirit and fidelity, and in a
manner that indicates the genius, while it reflects the
highest credit on the skill ardor, and industry Of the
artist. The view Of the Pipe Stone Quarry" on the
Coteau DIES Prares with the curious traditions and ex-
plantations given by Mr. c. is, Of itself sufficient to at
tract the attention. and excite the interest," OF the most
casual observer His collection OF Indian costumes
very large, and in many splendid and surprising
The dress Of the warrior is almost classical and, with
the tunic shield guiver arrows and spear while mount
| a
image OF chief in the heroic ages of Greece. Among
the finished portraits one of Oceola Of great merit
The likeness OF this brave but chief is
said by those who knew him, to be very striking and
correct, and the execution is unquesonaby excellent
II was taken understand few days prior his death,
aud his counenance exhibits expression OF the deep
est grief He is no longer the "stoc OF the woods
his noble and gallant spirit crushed and he feels that
his career of glory and patriotism 10 Mt an end he
cannot say with Outaliss-
| g may not stain with grief
| The death song Of an Indian chief"
But he seems to be ready to weep as the visions Of
the past fit before his mind. and the future is lost in
| gloom and despair Ross the Cherokee, paused the
other day in front Of his portrait and gazed on xedy
| for about an hour. He sighed and observed, That
was great man his name VIII go down 70 Poserly as
the bold resser of oppression, the defender Of his
tai soil and the graves of his fathers He is gone, but
his spirit anmates the breasts Of fifteen thousand OF his
coun'rymen" But whose is that bold and notebook
| ing head decorated with turban, and wearing mus
tache gracefully cnrled his lip II is the portrait
of Cherokee chief, who is destined to rival the fame
of Tecumseh or Oceola, and to strike blow on the
Anglo. American that may never be forgotten -
But would be impossible to describe each of the por-
traits in this valuable collection or to do any thing like
Justice to general merits. Several hours might be
occupied advan,ageously and delightfully."- in looking
the various objects Of art and skill contains, and in
listening the very clear, satisfactory and interesting
explanations Of the proprietor. In this collection are
real irie,ram, the Crow lodge, brought from the
foot of the Rocky Mountains, made Of buffalo skins,
and 25 feet in height; specimens Of bows,
quvers, spears. shields, wareagle and raven head
dresses necklaces robes, manes tobacco sacks wan
pun, &c. &c &c. several calumets, and beautiful
specimens Of the different strata found In the Pipe stone
Quarry Most Of the paintings, however, are NOT IN
finished state, and happy to learn that the artist
intends sto place them in turn, upon his easel, and
render them eventually more pleasing to the eye" He
means, moreover, to furnish minute and complete
description Of them and the Indian manners and
toms in a work in two volumes 4to which will appear
in few weeks and which must be- thus illustrated, enc
of uneqnaed value and interest This gallery - de-
cidedy the most interesting object now IN the United
States and every one should avail himself OF this oppor
tunity to crafty his curiosity by spending few hours
in it's examination. W.
A Poefs Opinion Of Torn VS.. Couniry,-l must