Self-torture in a Sioux Religious Ceremony

George Catlin, born Wilkes-Barre, PA 1796-died Jersey City, NJ 1872 · 1835-1837

George Catlin painted several images of Indian rituals involving self-torture, scenes that shocked viewers when he exhibited his Indian Gallery in London. Critics accused the artist of making up such horrendous scenes as this one of a man hanging from a pole with splints and skewers running through his flesh. Catlin insisted that he indeed witnessed this event, and reported that the man had “blood trickling down over his body, which was covered with white and yellow clay . . . amidst a great crowd who were looking on, sympathizing with and encouraging him . . .” Catlin went on to explain that the man was “to stand and look at the sun, from its rising in the morning ‘till its setting at night.” If the man survived this ritual, he was cut down from the ropes and given a “liberal donation of presents.” (Truettner, The Natural Man Observed, 1979)