An Artist Who Painted Frontier Life

George Caleb Bingham was an artist who lived in Missouri. He was born in 1811, just five years after Lewis and Clark returned from their journey.


George Caleb Bingham made money by painting portraits, but what he is known for today are his paintings of the American West.

There were not a lot of artists who lived in the Midwest or farther. Thus, we don't have a lot of paintings of what life was like at that time.

Here are some paintings of life in Missouri during that time.


This is called Fur Traders Descending the Missouri. Do you see that black thing on the end of the boat? What do you think it is?



George Caleb Bingham was also involved in politics and held a political office. His interest in politics is reflected in his Election Series.