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John Buxton, “Artist of Our Heritage,” engages both
history buffs and art lovers alike with each new Fine Art Limited
Edition. His unique combination of detailed historical accuracy
and artistic mastery brings the past to life as few others can.
In Coming to Trade, Buxton portrays the co-existence between
the French and Native Americans. “This painting an iconic
depiction of what drew both sides to tolerate the other in what
came to be known as the fur trade,” Buxton says. “Furs
from the new world helped finance French expansion and trade
items enhanced the living standard of the native nations. Bows
and arrows were no longer the preferred hunting method and French
cutlery replaced stone axes and knives. Cooking pots, needles
and even wire soon became highly prized among the Indians as
they became slightly more European. French traders, many of whom
lived among the Indians, changed as well. They readily accepted
native culture and custom—to the extent that it was difficult
to distinguish a Frenchman from his native ally. Though they
tried, Jesuit priests were not quite as successful at transforming
natives into cultured, God-fearing Frenchmen.” |