About the Exhibit
The Minnesota Historical Society is pleased to present Seth
Eastman: Artist on the Frontier, an exhibition of more than
60 watercolors, oils and sketches by acclaimed American artist
Seth Eastman. Most pieces were completed in Minnesota between 1840
and 1848.
The exhibition, among the largest presentations of Eastman works
assembled, is drawn from two important collections—the Minnesota
Historical Society and Mr. and Mrs. Duncan MacMillan collection.
The MacMillan collection of Eastman watercolors was originally owned
by art collector James J. Hill, founder of the Great Northern Railway.
Works from several other collections complete the exhibition.
About Seth Eastman
Seth Eastman (1808-1875), an artist and a career soldier, was stationed
at Fort Snelling twice, in 1830-31 and again in 1841-48 when he served
as the fort's commander.
As was typical of the time, Eastman studied
art while a student at West Point Academy and used his considerable
talent recording, in a candid and unassuming way, the frontier landscape
around Fort Snelling and the American Indians living in its environs.
A prolific artist, his career culminated in the late 1860s when he
was commissioned to create a number of paintings for the U.S. Capitol
in Washington, D.C.
Eastman died at his home in Washington, D.C.,
on August 31, 1875 at the age of 68.
Suggested Readings and Resources
More about Seth Eastman
View of Mendota, 1848
 View of Mendota, 1848. Oil on canvas. Location Number: AV2004.88 |
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A centerpiece of the exhibition is the recently acquired major
oil painting by Seth Eastman, View of Mendota, 1848, a
gift from the Zimmermann family in memory of Mary P. and Harry B.
Zimmermann.
Completed the year Eastman was reassigned to Texas, the
work features an American Indian family also in transition overlooking
the territorial settlement of Mendota.
Mendota was the headquarters of the American
Fur Company led at the time by Henry Sibley who was to become Minnesota’s
first Governor. Documents show that this painting was most likely
commissioned by Sibley himself.
Sponsors
Major support for the exhibition is provided by the George W. Wells, Jr. and Mary Cobb Wells Exhibition Fund and W. Duncan and Nivin MacMillan.
