EASTMAN, Seth (1808-1875). Sunset on the Texas Coastal Plains. Oil on canvas. Signed Seth Eastman, lower right. circa 1849-1850. 24" x 36" canvas. The two most important icons of 19th century Texas that exist. Provenance: [Tepper Galleries, New York, 1976]. Private collection, New York, acquired directly from the above A military officer and artist, Seth Eastman is best known for his images of Native American life, amidst the colonization that spread across American Western frontiers in the Mid-Nineteenth Century. In watercolor, pencil, and oil, Eastman produced topographically accurate views, recording sensitively and respectfully Native American inhabitants, as well as army encampments, especially in the Upper Mississippi, Florida, and Texas. A descendant of Roger Eastman, who sailed from southern England to Salisbury, Massachusetts, in 1638, Seth Eastman was born in Brunswick, Maine, and entered West Point Military Academy as a cadet in 1824. There, under the French-born Thomas Gimbrede (1781–1832), he studied topographical drawing, a training considered necessary in the era for military tactical planning. After graduating in the summer of 1829, Eastman was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the First Infantry and stationed in Fort Crawford in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (1829–1830). Subsequently, he was transferred to Fort Snelling located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers (1830–1831) in present-day Minneapolis. The Fort also established an Indian Agency at Mendota on the military Reservation opposite the Fort. There, Eastman learned the Sioux language. In 1830, he married Wakan Inajin-win (Stand Sacred), the fifteen-year-old daughter of Cloud Man, a Dakotah (Santee Sioux) chief of French and Dakota ancestry and his Dakota wife. When Eastman was reassigned in 1831, shortly after the birth of his daughter, Winona (1830–1858) (later Wakantankawin and Mary Nancy Eastman), he declared the marriage over. In 1833, Eastman returned to West Point as an assistant drawing master. He remained until 1840, carrying out his post as teacher, while also studying privately with Robert W. Weir, the Academy’s head drawing professor. Eastman wed for the second time in 1835, marrying Mary Henderson (1818–1887), the daughter of a Virginia physician and the granddaughter of Thomas Truxton (1755–1822), an American naval officer under President George Washington. Their first of several children was born in 1836. In the same year, Eastman was promoted to First Lieutenant. In 1837, Eastman wrote and published Treatise on Topographical Drawing, a textbook on methods of map-making and map-reading that became mandatory in topography classes at West Point. The book led to his election as professor of topographical drawing and painting at Jefferson College, Washington, Mississippi, near Natchez, but he declined the position. In 1836, he exhibited for the first time at the National Academy of Design, displaying a work titled View of the Highlands, from West Point (location unknown). He showed eight works at the Academy in 1838, including West Point and Fort Snelling scenes, and participated in Academy annuals in 1839, 1840, and 1848. Promoted to Captain in 1840, Eastman reported with his regiment to fight in the Florida (Seminole) War. From 1841 through 1848, he was again on frontier duty at Fort Snelling, where he was joined by his wife and growing family. There, depicting life among the Sioux—featuring the tribe’s rituals and family life—he saw himself as a “pictorial historian of the Indian.” In the summer of 1848, when Eastman received orders to transfer to Texas, he traveled down the Mississippi to the Delta, across the Gulf of Mexico, and overland to San Antonio. En route, he gathered material for most of his best-known pictures of the West. His stay in Texas was short, because he was summoned to Washington, DC, in 1850, to complete illustrations for Henry Schoolcraft’s History and Statistical Information Respecting the History, Condition, and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States (1851–1857). Between 1850 and 1855, he created over three hundred drawings, which were used as plates in the six-volume work. While Eastman was in the West, his wife published several volumes on Indian lore, for which he was the illustrator. One of these, Dahcota, or Life and Legends of the Sioux around Fort Snelling (1849), is thought to have been a main source for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “The Song of Hiawatha” (1855). After completing his work in Washington, Eastman was again sent to the Texas frontier in 1855, receiving a promotion to Major. During the Civil War, he rose in the Union Army to Brevet Brigadier General, serving in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. He resigned from military service in 1867, choosing to focus on his career as an artist. In that year, he was commissioned to create a series of paintings of Western forts and American Indian scenes for rooms in the State Department, as well as nine paintings for the House Committee on Indian Affairs and seventeen for the House Committee on Military Affairs. Although European artists had previously been awarded these assignments, Eastman set a precedent, in which subsequently only Americans received commissions to decorate Federal buildings. Eastman died in 1875, while completing a Congressional project. Although trained in topographical methods, Eastman developed an expressive and individualistic style and was sensitive in his representations of Native American life. Despite his successful military career, he never portrayed Native Americans at war, instead featuring his subjects in a straightforward, candid manner in peaceful moments of daily life, often within wilderness settings. His work is held by and has been exhibited at museums across the United States. We are grateful to Dr. Lisa N. Peters for her research and writing of this biographical commentary on Seth Eastman.
Seth Eastman (1808-1875) Spearing Fish From a Canoe. Pl. 8. From: Back of Beyond Books (Moab, UT, U.S.A.) Steel Plate engraving Sheet size: 9.5 x 12.5"
Seth Eastman (1808-1875) Spearing Muskrats in Winter. Pl. 5. From: Back of Beyond Books (Moab, UT, U.S.A.) Steel Plate engraving Sheet size: 9.5 x 12.5"
UPDATED LISTING: Seth Eastman (1808 - 1875) "Chief Wolf Robe" (Cheyenne) Watercolor on Paper. This original watercolor depicts a portrait of Wolf Robe or Ho'néhevotoomáhe (b. 1838-1841, d. 1910). He was a Southern Cheyenne chief of the southern Cheyenne Indian tribe and a holder of Benjamin Harrison Peace Medal. Inscribed on the reverse of the paper with the title and the artist signature monogram. Seth Eastman was born in Brunswick, Maine, Seth Eastman, who became Brigadier General Seth Eastman, was a mid-19th century painter, topographer and draftsman, whose name remains famous for his depictions of United States military posts, western landscapes, and Indian life. In 1837, he published a book on topographic drawing and exhibited his paintings at the National Academy of Design in New York. He was then assigned to frontier posts, including Fort Snelling from 1841 to 1848, and during this time, he created over four-hundred paintings of frontier Indians. His skill led to his transfer to Washington D.C. in 1850 to do more than three-hundred illustration plates for Henry Rowe Schoolcraft's congressionally authorized work on the North American Indians. In addition to his work at the Capitol, Eastman's paintings hang in the Smithsonian Institution, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Gilcrease Museum, the Stark Museum and the Joslyn Museum of Art. Artist: Seth Eastman Title: "Chief Wolf Robe" Medium: Watercolor on Paper Signature Type: Hand Signed Signature Location: Reverso Site Measurement: 11x8.75 in. Keywords: Southwest, Western, Painting, OriginalArt; Ref: BD1312
(lot of 3) Framed hand-colored engravings on paper, after Captain Seth Eastman (American, 1808-1875), including: (1) "Dakotah Village," engraved by John C. McRae (fl.1850-1880), published by Lippincott, Grambo & Co., Philadelphia, (1) "Striking the Post," engraved by John C. McRae, (1) "Ball Play on the Ice," engraved by Charles Edward Wagstaff (1808-1850) and J. Andrews, sight: approx 7"h, 8.5"w, overall: approx 14.25"h, 15.75"w; 7.5lbs total Start Price: $100.00
CAPTAIN SETH EASTMAN (AMERICAN 1808-1875) HAND-COLORED ENGRAVING, titled "Scalp Dance of the Dacotahs", published by Lippincott, Grambo & Co., Philadelphia, PL 12, S. Burt. From "Historical and Statistical Information Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States" by Henry R. Schoolcraft, illustrated by S. Eastman, U.S. Army. Professionally mounted in a modern frame.
Seth Eastman (American, 1808-1875), Figures Along Water in Upstate New York (Possibly Catskills), 1865, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower left, canvas: 27"h x 21.25"w, overall (with frame): 38"h x 32"w. Note: Extensive documentation from Christie's, Sotheby's, museums, and original owner accompany this lot.
This is an exceptional original work of art by renowned artist, Seth Eastman (American, 1808-1875). Dated to circa 1840-1850. The piece shows the side profile of a Sioux Native American Indian Chief in full headdress done with gouache & watercolor on brown paper. The piece is signed lower left in artist monogram, "I/I" and was previously authenticated by Mathews Galleries (no paperwork). This excellent piece is in an early gilt wood oval frame with glass protection. Seth Eastman was an 1829 West Point Graduate and served at Fort Snelling, Minnesota and Later during the Seminole Wars in Florida. Previously Eastman was exclusively concerned with landscapes, but with the presence of Florida Indians was prompted to experiment with a new subject matter, that of painting the Native American Indians. This started what would be the pinnacle of his artistic achievements. This is a very scarce piece as most original Eastman paintings are owned by the Federal Government. The most notable Seth Eastman painting to come up to auction sold at the Sotheby's New York May 5, 1998 for $937,500 with another piece being sold in 2012 by Phoebus Auction Gallery with an estimate of $250,000 to $400,000. Wonderful original piece. Frame measures 19.25"W x 23"H with the visible art area being 9.25"W x 13 3/8" including the 3" oval mat.
West Point Military Academy. Seth Eastman. Watercolor Drawing on Paper c. 1835. 10 3/4 x 15 1/2 inches sheet. Eastman attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he received training in sketching and topography. While at West Point, he began to paint scenes featuring the daily life of local American Indian tribes. He later returned to his Alma Mater as a drawing instructor from 1833-1840, most likely when this work was completed.
Seth Eastman, painting, "Chief Wolf Robe", watercolor, profile of Chief Wolf Robe wearing the Benjamin Harrison peace medal, titled verso "Chief Wolf Robe Cheyenne" and monogrammed verso "SE" probably Seth Eastman, nicely matted and framed, 9 1/2" x 7 1/2" (viewed), 19 3/4" x 17 1/4" (with frame), very good condition. From the Estate of Janet Collier San Rafael, California.
SETH EASTMAN (Washington, D.C., 1808-1875). LAKE ERIE, FROM CLEVELAND, JULY 1833, titled on verso. Watercolor Click here to view supplemental information for this lot. - Framed, sight: 12 1/4 in. x 8 in.
Each pen and brown ink on tissue paper, largest 7 x 4 inches. (One illustrated)Literature: "Indian Woman Procuring Fuel" appears in Eastman, "American Aboriginal Portfolio," pl. 26 and Schoolcraft, Vol. II, opposite p. 182. "Indian Woman Dressing a Buffalo Skin" in Eastman, pl. 14 and Schoolcraft, Vol. II, opposite p. 67. Several drawings after George Catlin.
Each pen and brown ink on tissue paper, 8 x 6, 9 x 6, 5 1/4 x 9 and 5 1/2 x 9 inches. (One illustrated)Literature: "Dance to the Giant" appears in Eastman, "American Aboriginal Portfolio" and in Schoolcraft, "Historical and Statistical Information..." Vol. III, opposite p. 486. "Indian Burial" in Eastman, pl. 16 and Schoolcraft, Vol. II, opposite p. 70; "Striking the Post" in Eastman and Schoolcraft, Vol. III, opposite p. 64; "Beggar's Dance" in Schoolcraft, Vol. III, opposite p. 62.
Each pen and brown ink on tissue paper, 5 3/4 x 9, 7 3/4 x 6 and 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches. (One illustrated)Literature: An Eastman watercolor of the "Scalp Dance," nearly identical to the drawing, is in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The "Death Whoop" appears as pl.10 in Eastman's "American Aboriginal Portfolio," 1853; "Scalps Dressed" appears in Schoolcraft, "Historical and Statistical Information Regarding ... the Indian Tribes," Vol. II, 1852, opposite p. 62.
Attributed to Seth Eastman (American, 1808-1875), "A Perch Above the Falls", oil on academy board, unsigned, 11 1/2 in. x 9 3/4 in., original gilded and stencil-decorated spandrel frame, with contemporaneous artist plaque Please Note: Starting Bid USD $1000
Seth Eastman (American, 1808-1875), Plains Indian Scaffold Burials. Signed l.r. Watercolor, pencil, and whiting on chine colle marked "indian grave? on the St. Peters River-Minnesota Ter. 1848," 9 1/4 x 6 1/4 in. Provenance: Purportedly from the descendants of Caleb Lyon (1822-1875).
Attributed to Seth Eastman (American, 1808-1875) Ball Play of the Sioux on the St. Peters River in Winter Unsigned, identified on a label affixed to the backing. Oil on board, 13 x 18 in. (32.5 x 45.5 cm), framed. Condition: Curve to support, varnish inconsistencies, surface grime. N.B. The work is nearly identical to Ballplay of the Dakota on the St. Peters River in Winter of 1848, presently in the collection of the Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.
SETH EASTMAN (1808-1875) ON THE HUDSON 7 7/8 x 11 3/4 inch paper size, signed S. Eastman in pen below the image on a mat that mounts the piece, only a date of 1850 in the image. A full composition with goat, mansions, schooners and a distant town visible. Eastman graduated West Point, rose to the rank of Brigadier General. Condition ReportTacked across the top in two places on dark age-toned mat with a mounted image behind the work by Eastman, cloth taped to larger, early 20th century mat.
Gouache and watercolor on brown paper. Portrait of a right facing Indian chief wearing feathered head dress with red tassels. Signed in artists monogram lower left. Oval shaped with fine detail. Housed in a modern metal frame with tan rectangular matte.
Inscription Rock at Esopus Landing on the Hudson River watercolor on paper 6 x 9 in. (15.2 x 22.9 cm.) LITERATURE H.R. Schoolcraft L.L.D., Information Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States: Collected and Prepared Under the Direction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Per Act of Congress of March 3rd 1847, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1853, plate 19, illustration of engraving based on the present work. NOTES The present work is the original watercolor for which the engraving of Inscription Rock at Esopus Landing by J.C. McRae was used in H.R. Schoolcraft's book of 1857. Inscription Rock is located on the western bank of the Hudson River, at Esopus Landing. The present watercolor depicts the landscape of the eastern shores of the Hudson, as seen from the primitive indian inscriptions found on Inscription Rock in the 1850s. SALESROOM NOTICE Please note this lot is being sold subject to no reserve.
