The Red Man's Bones. George Catlin, Artist and Showman.
Benita Eisler
Political forces thwarted Catlin’s ambition to sell what he called his “Indian Gallery” as a national collection, and in 1840 the artist began three decades of self-imposed exile abroad. For a time, his exhibitions and writings made him the most celebrated American expatriate in London and Paris. He was toasted by Queen Victoria and breakfasted with King Louis-Philippe, who created a special gallery in the Louvre to show his pictures. But when he started to tour “live” troupes of Ojibbewa and Iowa, Catlin and his fortunes declined: He changed from artist to showman, and from advocate to exploiter of his native performers. Tragedy and loss engulfed both.
This brilliant and humane portrait brings to life George Catlin and his Indian subjects for our own time. An American original, he still personifies the artist as a figure of controversy, torn by conflicting demands of art and success.
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About Benita Eisler
Reviews for The Red Man's Bones. George Catlin, Artist and Showman.
Stacy Schiff, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Cleopatra: A Life "Through her impeccable scholarship, Benita Eisler masterfully illuminates the tragic life of 19th Century artist George Catlin, America's forgotten portraitist of Native American life. The Red Man's Bones is that rare kind of 'warts and all' history, showing the real Catlin while successfully making the case for his elevation to the pantheon of great American artists."
Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "An elegant, thoughtful new biography."
Kate Tuttle "Marvelous ... wonderfully nuanced and compelling ... Ms. Eisler's book is far and away the best biography of Catlin in existence."
Jonathan Lopez "Pitch-perfect... [Eisler] is a skilled writer, showing both flair and economy."
Tim Bross "[A] lively and well-researched biography."