Harvey Dunn: From the collection of the South Dakota Art Museum will include Dunn’s illustrations, prairie works and portraits from the South Dakota Art Museum’s collection. Many are from Dunn’s original donation to the University while others have been gifted by the artist’s family and other generous donors. One of the more recent donations to the Art Museum is a collection of portraits of elderly men from Harvey Dunn’s granddaughters.

Harvey Dunn was born on March 8, 1884 on a homestead farm near Manchester, South Dakota.  The young man’s talent was first recognized by Ada Caldwell, an art instructor at South Dakota Agricultural College (presently South Dakota State University), which Dunn attended during 1901-1902.  Urged by Caldwell, Dunn pursued his artistic studies at the Art Institute of Chicago under the instruction of Howard Pyle, one of America’s most important illustrators. In 1906, after two years with Pyle, Dunn established his own studio in Wilmington, DE and immediately began a successful career in illustration.  In 1915 he opened the Leonia School of Illustration, NJ. Shortly after starting the school, Dunn was tapped into service in World War I as one of eight artist-correspondents with the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. Dunn returned from the War and his artistic career continued to excel. He is remembered as South Dakota’s finest artist; having left a legacy as a war reporter, teacher, and painter of the Plains of his native state.