XO. 3 SETH EASTMAN BUSHXELL I3 



Arts in the I'nited States," and the money derived from the dues 

 paid by the memlx'rs was used to purchase the works of American 

 artists which were then distributed to the members by lot each year 

 at the time of the annual meeting. This manner of disposing of the 

 many paintings, engravings, medals, and other objects, was declared 

 by the New York Supreme Court on October 22, 1852, " illegal and 

 unconstitutional," and led to the dissolution of the organization. 



The American Art Union during its few years undoubtedly did a 

 great deal to assist the young artists of the country, and the names of 

 many who became well known in later years are to be found on the lists 

 appearing in the publications of the Union. The first annual meeting 

 was held December 16, 1839, at which time 63 paintings were dis- 

 tributed among the members, but the number steadily increased and 

 on December 22, 1848, 454 paintings were won Iw the members; the 

 number distributed on December 21, 1849, was 460. 



The name of Seth Eastman first appeared in 1848, the last year 

 he was stationed in the upper Mississippi valley. That year the Art 

 Union purchased six of his paintings, all Indian subjects, but unfor- 

 tunately neither description nor dimension is given in connection with 

 the reference to the pictures which appeared in the Bulletin issued by 

 the Union that year. The six paintings purchased during the year 

 1848 were ; 



No. 288. Indian Burial. 



No. zZTi- Indian Scalp Dance. 



No. 334. Buffalo Hunt. 



No. 441. Moonlight — Sioux Landing. 



No. 448. Sioux Breaking up Camp. 



No. 449. Dog Dance — a Dance of the Braves. 



The next year, 1849. the Art Union again purchased six pictures, 

 likewise Indian subjects, all of which were briefly though interestingly 

 described in the Bulletin as follows : 



61. Sioux in Council. (25 by 35 inches.) 



" These figures are all painted from life, and are portraits. An old 

 chief is lecturing a young warrior for cowardice." 

 71. O-ho-ka-pe. an Indian Hunter. (25 by 35 inches.) 



" This is a celebrated hunter of the Sioux nation. He is said to 

 have killed thirteen deer in one day. During the last war with Great 

 Britain he was captured by the English, and kept in prison several 

 months, at which time he lost his intellect. This was taken from life 

 by Capt. Eastman." 

 •]2. Sississiton Chief. (25 by 35 inches.) 



" This is also a portrait. The original is called ' The Burning 

 Earth.' He resides near the headwaters of the St. Peters River, and 

 is chief of a band of Dacotahs." 



