Cól-Lee, a Band Chief
1834
George Catlin packed his bags in the 1830s and headed up the Missouri River, determined to paint Native American tribes before their way of life changed forever. Here we meet Cól-Lee, a Band Chief, looking incredibly dignified in a rich blue patterned robe and a bright red headband. Catlin dreamed of creating a 'museum of man' to preserve these cultures, eventually painting over 500 portraits during his travels. It's a fascinating, if sometimes romanticized, snapshot of history that helps us remember the people who lived on these lands long before modern expansion.
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