Hodges Soileau (American, B. 1943) "Osceola" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media painting on Water Color Paper

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood Osceola Commemorative Cover postmarked October 22, 1981.

The most famous leader of the Seminoles was Osceola, recognized as a great warrior before he was twenty. He acquired a large following during the Seminole resistance against efforts to remove them from Florida to Indian Territory. It is fairly certain that Osceola's people moved into Florida early in the 19th century. A branch of the Creek tribe, the Seminoles favored the area around Tampa Bay. By the 1830's, Osceola was living near present-day Ocala and was leader of a resistance movement. When the U.S. began applying military pressure to force the Seminoles to move west of the Mississippi, the Indians rose up against the small forts on December 28, 1835, killing agent Wiley Thompson and ambushing a detachment of 110 men under Major F.L. Dade, starting a full-scale war. After General Thomas Jesup captured two important Seminole chiefs, Osceola requested a conference. He met with General Joseph Hernandez on October 22, 1837, under a truce flag. Acting on Jesup's orders, Hernandez violated the truce and seized Osceola and 95 of his people, imprisoning them at St. Augustine. Osceola was later removed to Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, where he became a symbol of Indian mistreatment, winning the sympathy of many Americans. George Catlin and other artists visited the prison to paint his portrait. On January 31, 1838, Osceola died either by his own will or from a secret poison.

Image Size: 14.75 x 11.75 in.
Overall Size: 19.5 x 17.5 in.
Unframed.
(B07431)

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19.5 x 17.5 in