Kei-a-gis-gis, a woman of the Plains Ojibwa (1832) by George Catlin

Kei-a-gis-gis, a woman of the Plains Ojibwa - George Catlin - 1832

Artwork Information

TitleKei-a-gis-gis, a woman of the Plains Ojibwa
ArtistGeorge Catlin
Date1832
Art MovementRealism

About Kei-a-gis-gis, a woman of the Plains Ojibwa

The artwork titled “Kei-a-gis-gis, a woman of the Plains Ojibwa” is a portrait painted by George Catlin in 1832. It is created within the realms of Realism, an art movement which emphasizes the depiction of subjects as they appear in everyday life without embellishment or interpretation. The genre of the artwork is a portrait, which focuses on capturing the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person depicted.

In this particular artwork, the subject is a woman from the Plains Ojibwa, a Native American people. She is portrayed with a serene and direct gaze, engaging the viewer with calm confidence. Her attire is richly adorned with what appears to be traditional clothing and jewelry, including a beaded necklace and earrings, suggesting her cultural heritage and possibly her status within her community. The woman’s hair is parted in the middle and falls over her shoulders in long locks. Notably, a red mark adorns the center of her forehead, which may hold cultural significance.

The painter has employed a warm color palette, as the background showcases a soft amalgamation of yellow and orange tints, perhaps indicative of the natural setting in which she was painted. The brushwork seems smooth and the focus is directed towards the detailed rendering of the woman’s features and her attire. The realistic portrayal allows for an intimate representation of the woman’s character, embedding her cultural identity into the canvas through the meticulous depiction of her dress and accessories.

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