Wos-cóm-mun, Busy Man, a Brave

George Catlin, born Wilkes-Barre, PA 1796-died Jersey City, NJ 1872 · 1832

George Catlin noted that Iowa braves Shooting Cedar and Busy Man (see 1985.66.260) were “distinguished warriors of the tribe.” For their portrait sitting, he remembered that they were “tastefully dressed and equipped, the one with his war-club on his arm, the other with bow and arrows in his hand; both wore around their waists beautiful buffalo robes, and both had turbans made of vari-coloured cotton shawls, purchased of the Fur Traders. Around their necks were necklaces of the bears' claws, and a profusion of beads and wampum. Their ears were profusely strung with beads; and their naked shoulders curiously streaked and daubed with red paint.” Catlin probably painted this image at Fort Leavenworth (in today’s Kansas) in 1832. (Catlin, Letters and Notes, vol. 2, no. 34, 1841; reprint 1973)