Julian A. Scott
(1846-1901)

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Julian Scott was an American painter of the Civil War born in Johnson, Vermont. During the Civil War, Scott postponed his studies and enlisted in the Third Vermont Infantry. At the young age of fifteen, Scott served in the Union Army as a drummer but faced serious combat during the Battle at Lee’s Mills in Virginia. Scott rescued nine wounded soldiers, earning the highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

When the war ended Scott spent some time recovering from battle. During his recuperation he picked up drawing as a hobby to stay occupied. Scott studied at a small college, Lamoille Academy in Johnson before relocating in New York City. In New York Scott continued his studies at the National Academy of Design and made numerous connections at the popular Tenth Street Studio Building.

Scott began by making several paintings documenting his experiences in the war. His paintings illustrated the hardships and harsh realities the soldiers faced in combat. A wealthy, patron named William E. Dodge sponsored Scott, enabling him to continue his coursework. Emanuel Leutze, famous for painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware” became Scott’s primary instructor. Scott also worked with painters John F. Kensett and Louis Lang.

In 1864 Scott returned to war as a hired artist. Scott was stationed at the military camps in Virginia, documenting the march of the soldiers and everyday camp life. After Scott’s second military round he spent most of his career in New York City, taking intermittent trips to Europe. Scott set up a studio and focused on Civil War painting.

In addition to illustrating the Civil War, Scott documented the lives of Native Americans. On an expedition through New Mexico, Arizona and Oklahoma Scott did a series of paintings in the company of the United States Census Bureau. Some of these paintings now belong to the University of Pennsylvania.

Scott’s experienced in the Southwest made him passionate about Native American issues. Scott became active in speaking out against the unjust policies enforced by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Scott illustrated the Report on Indians Taxed and Not Taxed with numerous drawings and photographs.

Julian A. Scott is an important figure in American Civil War and Native American painting. Scott’s paintings show an unidealized documentation in some of America’s most trying times. Do you think you own a painting by Julian A. Scott? Contact us. We are the Julian A. Scott experts.