Smithsonian American Art Museum
Comanche Giving Arrows to the Medicine Rock
George Catlin, born Wilkes-Barre, PA 1796-died Jersey City, NJ 1872 · 1837-1839
“A curious superstition of the Camanchees: going to war, they have no faith in their success, unless they pass a celebrated painted rock, where they appease the spirit of war (who resides there), by riding by it at full gallop, and sacrificing their best arrow by throwing it against the side of the ledge.” (Catlin, 1848 Catalogue, Catlin’s Indian Gallery, SAAM online exhibition)
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