George Catlin, born Wilkes-Barre, PA - Indian Ball Players-no. 23 - unknown - T-Shirt

This design reproduces a nineteenth-century lithograph of Native American players in full motion during a traditional ball game.

Visual Elements & Composition

The scene is a horizontal rectangle rendered in monochrome, built from parchment cream, sepia tan, light tan and dark umber. The crowd of players fills the foreground, with sticks raised and bodies in motion. Tall goal poles mark the field, and rolling hills with scattered trees open the background. The lettering INDIAN BALL PLAYERS sits within the image, anchoring the scene as a historical record.

Meaning & Symbolism

The game shown is a ball play tradition among many indigenous nations, often described as a precursor to modern lacrosse. For these communities it was far more than a contest. It carried ceremonial weight, tied to community identity, spiritual expression and the settling of disputes. Catlin made the piece in the 1850s, during his travels across the American West to record native cultures before westward expansion reshaped them. It belongs to his Indian Gallery, and the original is held in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection. Catlin was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1796 and died in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1872.

Why It Works on a Tee

A tee is worn and seen at close range, so the detail of the players and the sweep of the field reads up close as you move. The image has a wide, open layout that fits the chest, and its muted palette suits everyday wear. Each shirt carries a documented moment from the artist's work, put back into daily life.