Comments on: A Brief Comment About Civil War Art

By: Western Artwork

Western Artwork — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:45:29 +0000

Mort Kunstler is the real deal. his civil war vision captured in paint is realistic, more like a photo but even better…

By: Western Artwork

Western Artwork — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:45:29 +0000

Mort Kunstler is the real deal. his civil war vision captured in paint is realistic, more like a photo but even better…

By: Tim Abbott

Tim Abbott — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:31:02 +0000

It is curious that the same war that prompted Currier & Ives to mass produce lithographs for mass consumption in sanitized, stoic uniformity also inspired Alexander Gardiner to expose the dead of Antietam to sheltered eyes at home. One kind of art could be hung in your drawing room and clearly sold well. The other seared the brain and was a sensation in exhibition but not something you wanted above the mantlepiece. Its impact must be judged in other terms.

By: Lee White

Lee White — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:49:04 +0000

Kevin, I have done a little work over the years for Troiani, and truth be told he would be happy just painting Rev War scenes and Zouaves.

By: Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:52:17 +0000

Lee and Woodrow, — That’s another aspect of the print culture that is worth exploring. Thanks

By: Lee White

Lee White — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:12:15 +0000

pardon the spelling, lack of sleep and medication has me inventing spellings today.

Lee

By: Lee White

Lee White — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:38:38 +0000

It all comes down to what sells. Blood doesnt sell, western theater doesnt sell, except for Forrest and Cleburne. I know some artist would like to do other subjects, but it all comes back to what makes them money.

By: Woodrowfan

Woodrowfan — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:20:24 +0000

Is it my imagination, or do they not only concentrate on Confederates, but also on those who fought mostly in Virginia? (Forrest excepted). Where are the touching pictures of Joe Johnston? OK, Hood and Bragg I can see being left out, but Johnston was a good general and very, very popular with his men.

By: Robert Moore

Robert Moore — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:33:32 +0000

Mark, Looking at your post heading, I’m in agreement with the need for a moratorium on combat art. Best, Robert

By: admin

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:58:33 +0000

We agree 100% Mark. Thanks for the comment.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:31:14 +0000

Hi Kevin,
I serendipitously wrote a post about Civil War combat art on my blog yesterday. My take on the accuracy and validity of this genre, particularly when it comes to combat, is quite different than yours. Troiani, Kunstler et al are lauded for their accuracy and realism, and yet somehow the stark absence of combat trauma is overlooked as evaluation criteria. This is something I strongly object to. If we are to have a complete and accurate understanding of what the soldiers of the Civil War went through, then depictions of something ghastly that are sanitized for use as a commodity should not be a part of it.
Your point that we don’t want to be reminded of the extent of the soldier’s suffering is well taken, but we can’t have it both ways. If we are to remain faithful to the memory of their sacrifice, we cannot modify it to fit our current needs. We must be, above all, respectful and honest about all facets of the Civil War, be it debunking the Lost Cause mythology or depicting the horrible brutality of combat. Civil War combat art must either live up to these criteria, or not retain the praise of being historically accurate.