Seth Eastman Watercolors: A Soldier Artist Among the Dakota

April 5, 2001–October 7, 2001

New York, NY

Organized by NMAI and Afton Historical Society Press, in cooperation with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, this exhibition displays the entire W. Duncan MacMillan collection of 56 watercolors—some never before on public display—by soldier-artist Seth Eastman. Acknowledged as one of America's greatest ethnological painters, Eastman's watercolors have become some of the most important visual records of everyday Dakota life during the 19th century in Minnesota. His oil paintings, commissioned by Congress in 1860, still hang in the U.S. Capitol. Eastman's works are also included in collections around the world, including the Peabody Library at Harvard University and the Newberry Library in Chicago. Many of his works are featured in the exhibition's catalog, written by Marybeth Lorbiecki, and published by Afton Historical Society Press. The book explores Eastman's life and career as an Army officer and painter who came to know the Dakota better than any other painter in America. Financial support for the exhibition has been provided by Afton Historical Society Press.