Há-tchoo-túc-knee, Snapping Turtle, a Half-breed
Smithsonian American Art Museum

Há-tchoo-túc-knee, Snapping Turtle, a Half-breed

George Catlin, born Wilkes-Barre, PA 1796-died Jersey City, NJ 1872 · 1834

oil on canvas
Smithsonian American Art Museum
CC0 — Public Domain
Smithsonian American Art Museum

Like the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole, the Choctaw were farmers, plantation owners, and educated professionals. Snapping Turtle, also known as Peter Pitchlynn, was a graduate of the University of Nashville and George Catlin’s source for “much curious and valuable information, of the history and traditions of his tribe.” Catlin painted his portrait at Fort Gibson, Arkansas Territory, in 1834.

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