LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

72078

A Painting of Major General Philip Sheridan by T

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:50,000.00 USD Estimated At:200,000.00 - 300,000.00 USD
A Painting of Major General Philip Sheridan by T
<B>The Famous Painting of Major General Philip Sheridan by Thomas Buchanan Read (1822-1872) <I>Sheridan's Ride From Winchester</B></I></B></I> Thomas Buchanan Read was a celebrated artist even before the Civil War, when he worked as a Major on the staff of General Lew Wallace, giving talks and creating propaganda art for the war effort. Also a poet and a sculptor, he was known as early as 1840 for his portraiture art having completed a very celebrated commission for a portrait of William Henry Harrison. But he favored historical pictures with a poetic flair. In this painting of a hard-charging Major General Philip Sheridan on horseback riding his saddle blanket in the midst of the Battle of Winchester, Read created his most magnificent work. Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1822, Thomas Buchanan Read exhibited his art at the Pennsylvania Academy and the National Academy of Design. After his service with General Wallace he briefly set up a studio in New Orleans with the express purpose of completing a portrait of General Sheridan. He would later return to Europe and Rome, Italy to complete this exquisite picture of Sheridan in battle. This 54” x 38” striking oil on canvas depicts Sheridan at the highest point of his Civil War career at the Battle of Winchester. Sheridan is charging into battle astride his famous horse Rienzi, his courageous mount that he renamed 'Winchester' after this battle. Considered a hero of the war himself, Winchester was preserved after his death at the Smithsonian Institution. Sheridan has his saber in hand, rallying his troops who have started to retreat until they see their valiant General rushing to the battlefield from twenty miles away upon hearing of their dismay. While his horse is straining at the bit, Sheridan is shown with his hat turned up at front by the rushing wind, racing through scattered cannon balls, shattered canteens and broken rifles giving evidence of the battle that is raging about him. Signed and dated 'T. Buchanan Read, Rome, 1870', the colors of this painting and the dynamism of Read's characterization of Sheridan's ride give evidence of Read's poetic work. Indeed, Read composed a famous poem to coincide with the picture. Titled Sheridan's Ride, Read describes the General's gallop to the battlefield in eloquent prose that he translates into art in this picture. Sheridan's horse “with his wild eye full of fire” and of Sheridan, “Hurrah! Hurrah for Sheridan! Hurrah! hurrah for horse and man!” This striking painting is superbly framed in a 4 ½” carved ornate wood and gilt frame decorated with stars at the upper corners, laurel at the sides with a rosette and an elaborate stand of arms and flags at each of the lower corners. There is a medallion at the center bottom and a plaque denoting the painting and the artist. There are small flecks at the top right of the frame, but the painting is in excellent condition, bright and vivid in color, a true masterpiece capturing the essence of this Civil War hero.<BR><BR> <B>Provenance:</B></I> <I>The Tharpe Collection of American Military History</B></I><BR> <BR><B>Exhibited:</B></I> <I>The Liberty Heritage Society Museum</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot