Gallery › Barrier Canyon Style
The Great Gallery in Horseshoe Canyon
This painting is the centerpiece of the Great Gallery and is referred to sometimes as the Holy Ghost and Attendants. The dominant figure is surrounded by forms of different size, providing depth. Its torso was created by pecking fine lines and blowing or splattering paint onto the rock, creating the appearance of a buffalo robe. The attendant figures were pecked after they were painted, possibly by others.
The Great Gallery panel. There are more paintings to the left (see below) and there are other rock art panels in Horseshoe Canyon.
Click or tap the photo to see the full panorama.
These life-size forms are to the left of the Great Gallery. Unusual are the “veils” on their faces. Noteworthy is how the artist pecked at the bottom of the middle figure’s torso.
The two human-like figures on the right are particularly well done with well-drawn legs and arms. In the Barrier Canyon Style they are unique. The animal at the bottom has a curved tail so it is believed to be a dog. I've always thought this was a depiction of a dispute between the two figures on the right but some think otherwise.
Of the many fascinating anthropomorphic forms in the Great Gallery, and there are many, this is one that stands out for me. Most striking is the white face with painted eyes, highly unusual though not unique. It has two human-like forms on its chest, one in horizontal stripes and the other in vertical. On top of that, a black spirit helper perches on one shoulder and a white spirit helper on the other. Any one of these details would be rare but together they are remarkable.
Rangers used to let visitors explore past the chain barrier and one could closely view this small panel. Someone, presumably long ago, pecked away the faces and feet of the dog and the human-like figures, ceremonially perhaps.