NO. 3 SETH EASTMAN BUSH NELL I 5 



Could the 15 paintings of Indian subjects which were acquired by 

 the Art Union during the years 1848, 1849, and 1850 be assembled, 

 they would form a collection of the greatest interest and importance, 

 one not surpassed by the works of any other artist. Hut they are 

 widely scattered, some are lost, and some may have been destroyed 

 during the many years that have elapsed since they were distributed 

 to members of the old organizatioiL However, two are described at 

 this time which serve to indicate what the others may have been. 



The two paintings to which the preceding statement refers were 

 distributed by the Art Union in December, 1849, ^"<^^ '^"^'^ the num- 

 bers 167 and 169. The latter has already been described and illustrated 

 in Plate 3. The second, number 167 in the Bulletin of the Art Union, 

 December, 1849, is shown in I'late 12, and a photograph of the label 

 attached to the stretcher is reproduced in Figure i. It portrays the 

 Medicine Dance of the Sioux and is believed to have been a scene 

 witnessed by the artist at one of the several native villages which then 

 stood not far from Fort Snelling. It is a most interesting example 

 of Eastman's earlier work and was probably made at the post. 



The ]\Iedicine Dance was one of the more important ceremonies of 

 the Sioux, a very complete description of which was given some years 

 ago I)}- one who had undoubtedly seen it enacted in the vicinity of 

 F'ort Snelling. A brief quotation from the account will tend to make 

 clear certain details of the painting. The superstitious beliefs of the 

 people are first mentioned, with the traditional origin of the cere- 

 mony, and then it continues to describe it as enacted : ' 



" Early in the morning the tent, in form like that which the god 

 first erected for the jjurposes, is thrown open for the dance. The 

 members assemble painted and ornamented, each bearing his medicine- 

 sack. 



" After a few preliminary ceremonies, appropriate to the occasion, 

 including a row of kettles of large dimensions, well filled and ar- 

 ranged over a fire at the entrance of the court, guarded by sentries 

 appointed for the occasion, the candidate takes his place on a pile of 

 blankets which he and his friends have contributed." 



No two ceremonies would have been exactly the same, and this 

 brief description is sufficiently clear to explain the scene as recorded 

 on the canvas. On the left is a member, " painted and ornamented." 

 carrying his medicine sack ; on the extreme right is visible " a row 

 of kettles of large dimensions," and near the center, resting upon 

 blankets, is one who mav be " the candidate." The large skin tipi, 



' Pond, G. H., Dakota superstitions. Coll. Alinnesota Hist. Soc, 1867. 



