Dacotah Encampment, 1849-1855

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Before Captain Eastman’s long residence at Fort Snelling, he was posted there briefly in 1830 as a 22-year-old lieutenant. Within a year, he had married a Dakota chief’s daughter, Wakaninajinwin, or Stands Sacred, and had a daughter, known as Nancy Eastman. Although Eastman would return to the fort ten years later with a new wife, this early union undoubtedly opened him to the domestic side of Dakota life. Here he records small everyday activities against a sea of tipis, all constructed by women.

This watercolor, one of 35 works on paper by Eastman in Mia’s collection, was the basis for an illustration in Henry Rowe Schoolcraft’s massive "Historical and Statistical Information Respecting the History, Condition, and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States" (Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co., 1851-57).

Details
Title
Dacotah Encampment
Artist Life
1808–1875
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2014.31.1
Provenance
James J. Hill (St. Paul, 1838-1916); his estate; James Jerome Hill Reference Library, St. Paul (by 1921-1994; sold October, to MacMillan); W. Duncan MacMillan, Wayzata (1994-d. 2006); the W. Duncan and Nivin MacMillan Foundation (2006-2014; given to MIA)
Catalogue Raisonne
Seth Eastman: A Portfolio of North American Indians 5
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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