New Sculpture of Native American Chief Comes to Green-Wood

A new body will come to Green-Wood Cemetery on Saturday, July 28.

But this body won’t be in a casket, instead, it’ll be standing 6-feet-6 and is made out of bronze.

The new sculpture, named “The Greeter,” is a piece by American sculptor John Coleman. “The Greeter” is a depiction of a painting by George Catlin in 1832 of the Chief of the Hidatsa Indians, Black Moccasin.   

It will be unveiled in celebration of Green-Wood permanent resident George Catlin's, the 19th-century painter, 216th birthday. 

Catlin, born July 26, 1796 and died December 23, 1872, dedicated his work to portraits of Native Americans.

He painted two major collections of Native Americans (and published two books on his travels throughout the different native tribes in North, Central and South America) starting in 1830 when he followed General William Clark up the Mississippi River and then continued to travel until 1836, visiting 50 tribes.  

His work can be found in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. and in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Coleman’s sculpture, which he donated, depicts Chief Black Moccasin as he welcomed Lewis and Clark as they explored the Missouri River in 1804. Black Moccasin is in full native dress and is in his 70s.

“The Greeter” will be unveiled in a ceremony on Saturday, July 28 at 1 p.m. sharp in the cemetery, at 25th Street and Fifth Avenue, near the gravesite of Catlin and his wife.

Richard J. Moylan, Green-Wood president; Linda Ferber, vice president and senior art historian at the New-York Historical Society; Gwen Pier, executive director of the National Sculpture Society; John Coleman, sculptor and Jeff Richman, Green-Wood historian will all give remarks during the ceremony.

After the unveiling, a celebration of Catlin’s 216th birthday will be held at Green-Wood’s Historic Chapel. 

Make surer you get to Green-Wood, 500 25th Street, at 1 p.m. sharp to catch the trolley to the gravesite.