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 
I was in DC with my nephew, Ted, and we were going to see the Annie Leibowitz retrospective at the Corcoran. We didn’t know it was closed on Tuesdays.
Ted said, “Well, that’s disappointing. Because there’s nothing to do in this city.”
We walked a little further and saw the Renwick. They were showing quilts from the 19th century and it took the tops of our heads off. If you stepped back and squinted, you’d swear some of the quilts were examples of op art. Beautiful.
Then we walked into the Catlin room. Pretty damn impressive and you’re right, the photos don’t do the place justice.
But you write about this in the past tense. Is it closed? Did they move it? What? Say it ain’t so, Joe.
Yes, according to their website the Catlin Gallery came down on Apri l26, I think, and was replaced by a group of American paintings, to be shown in the same salon-style way as the Catlins. I, too, thought t was a permanent exhibit and was really looking forward to seeing it again. Didn’t see the quilts but have seen some that really are pretty amazing, much more than the average Joe could imagine.
Well, I’m glad I saw it when I did, then.
Maybe I can catch the new exhibit when I come up for your opening.
Ah yes, what a great room that was. I remember being in there was a truly awesome experience. It’s hard to explain the impact of being immersed in Catlin’s talent and vision. While I’m not typically moved by images of the American West, that room was certainly one of best art installations I’ve ever seen.
Despite my typical tastes in art, the first painting we bought was by Thom Ross. (www.thomrossart.com) It is one of the 65 pieces he painted that tell the story of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. While he knows his history, it’s the myth behind the stories that he really portrays.
PS – Looking forward to your show next month!
What a lovely photo of that installation. May I use and credit to redtreetimes.com?
Certainly.