Plate V
A Buffalo Bull
Catlin, 1836
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Plate V A Buffalo Bull Catlin, 1836 |
"The eight men were all naked and painted exactly alike, and in the most extraordinary manner; their bodies, limbs, and faces being everywhere covered with black, red, or white paint. Each joint was marked with two white rings, one within the other, even to the joints under jaw, the fingers and the toes; and the abdomens were painted to represent the face of an infant, the navel representing its mouth." (Catlin 17) N.B.: Some description provided by Catlin of the actual ceremony is not reproduced here, in respect of the fact that, if this ceremony truly occurred, its sacred nature should be honored. The portraits are Catlin's own interpretation of the ceremony. |