Buffalo Chase, a Single Death

George Catlin

1832-1833

George Catlin captured the raw energy of the Great Plains in this dynamic scene from the early 1830s, part of his famous 'Buffalo Chase' series. A Native American hunter leans forward on his galloping paint horse, bow drawn and ready to strike a massive, dark buffalo that dominates the center of the frame. The sense of speed is palpable as the horse's hooves barely touch the grass, kicking up dust in a desperate chase across the open prairie while other bison scatter in the distance. Catlin was obsessed with preserving the culture of Native Americans before it vanished, making this a thrilling, historical snapshot of a traditional hunt.