Attacking the Grizzly Bear - George Catlin

A dramatic wildlife scene by George Catlin depicting a grizzly bear attacking a bison in a ravine, rendered in oil on cardboard.

George Catlin, an American painter known for his extensive travels through the American West, produced this work as part of his effort to document the natural history and indigenous cultures of the region. The scene depicts a dramatic encounter between a grizzly bear and a bison within a ravine. The composition focuses on the struggle, with the bear mounted upon the back of the bison, while other members of the herd remain in the background, grazing or observing the conflict from the grassy banks above.

Catlin utilised a muted palette of earth tones, reflecting the natural environment of the Great Plains. The brushwork is precise, capturing the texture of the animals' fur and the rugged topography of the ravine. The sky, rendered in soft blues and greys, provides a sense of open space that contrasts with the intense action occurring in the lower centre of the frame. This work belongs to a series of paintings created by Catlin during his later career, often based on his earlier field sketches and observations made during his extensive travels in the 1830s.

Unlike his portraits of indigenous leaders, which often sought to preserve a record of individuals, this piece focuses on the raw dynamics of the North American wilderness. The perspective is slightly elevated, allowing the viewer to observe the interaction between the predator and prey while maintaining a clear view of the surrounding terrain. The work remains a primary example of nineteenth-century American wildlife documentation, capturing a moment of natural conflict with a direct, observational approach. The inclusion of the number 388 at the top of the mount indicates its place within the artist's own numbering system for his collection, which he toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe during his lifetime.