This is a shot from the George Catlin Gallery which was contained in the Renwick Gallery, a branch of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. It was one of my favorite exhibits in a tremendous space and always fills me with a new inspiration to create when I think of it. It was primarily filled with portraits of Plains Indians by George Catlin and the sheer number of the pieces and the scale of the room was overwhelming when you first entered.
These photos don’t really capture the scale or feel of the room. Although it seems at first immense, there’s a very comfortable atmosphere there, one that beckons you to sit on the benches there and just ponder.
For me, I think about the lives of those in the paintings, their day to day existence as well as the plight of their people. I think about Catlin painting this huge group of work over the years and the passion and drive it must have taken to complete such a task. I think about basking in such a great space and feel quieted, although deep inside it makes me itch to have a brush in my hand.
If you’re in DC sometime, look up the Renwick Gallery. There’s a new exhibit featuring selections from their American collection. You’ll be glad you did.
Redtree Times 