Exploring the American West: Karl Bodmer and George Catlin

Between 1839 and 1844, the artists George Catlin and Karl Bodmer independently set out to explore the American frontier, departing from St. Louis, Missouri, and heading west. The pair documented the land and the Native Americans who populated it. Scenes of the West were eagerly received by the American public and the work of these artists were widely distributed through the printmaking processes of engraving, etching, aquatint, and lithography, resulting in vibrant and colorful hand-colored portfolios. Exploring the American West features more than fifty such works by George Catlin and Karl Bodmer capturing the land, appearance and customs of dozens of native peoples of the West including the Mandan, Crow and Blackfeet. Visually stunning, it presents a unique record of the West prior to white settlement.
Lee’s work is included in important collections throughout the country including the White House, the Smithsonian, and the Renwick Gallery and now the Art Museum at the University of Kentucky.

The Art Museum at UK’s collection is a recent gift from Museum patron Colonel William Greynolds of Arlington, Virginia. Colonel Greynolds, who met Lee at the beginning of his art career, recognized his immense talent and began to collect his work. The Colonel who is a native of Harlan county stated “ I’m delighted to give this collection to the Art Museum at the University of Kentucky.”