State Historical Society of Iowa

Ball-play, 1844

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Image
Artist Geoge Catlin painted this scene of American Indians playing a large field game in 1844.
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Catlin, George, Artist. Ball-Play.

Description

Artist Geoge Catlin painted many scenes of American Indian life. This painting depicts a game similar to modern lacrosse. The event is played in a large, open field with many players.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • List some games you have played on a large field. What similarities do you see with those games and the play in the painting? What differences?
  • Compare the action you see in this painting with the source U of Md. & Lehigh, Lacrosse. Describe the elements of the American Indian game that you see in the U of Md. photo of lacrosse. 

Citation Information

Catlin, George, Artist. Ball-Play. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, Library of Congress.