The Indians are coming... back to London

 
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Louise Jury6 March 2013

A hugely important series of paintings of Native Americans goes on show in London tomorrow for the first time since they were a star attraction in the capital 170 years ago.

The works, which are to be seen at the National Portrait Gallery, were painted by American artist George Catlin who made trips into the western boundaries of America to record the indigenous peoples as he feared their way of life was passing.

He toured the works in an “Indian Gallery” in America before bringing them to Europe after the US government declined to buy the collection.

They were displayed in the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly in the 1840s where there were also live appearances by some of the peoples he painted.

The hall housed many shows of curiosities until it was demolished in 1905.

The National Portrait Gallery is to recreate the spectacular way the works were displayed, with paintings three high and seven across.

Curator Peter Funnell said: “It must have been an overwhelming experience. I think people were intrigued by it.”

National Portrait Gallery director Sandy Nairne said they were “wonderful” images and he was delighted to be working with the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, which owns the major work.

“George Catlin made powerful and sympathetic portraits of the American Indians at a time of traumatic historical change,” he said.

The free exhibition of Catlin portraits, supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art, runs until June 23.

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