Painting by James Walker
“Woah”!
They say that first impressions are everything, and when I rounded the corner and first laid eyes on James Walker’s “The Battle of Gettysburg: Repulse of Longstreet’s Assault”, “Woah” was my first thought.
On loan to the Spartanburg Public Library by The Johnson Collection, “Gettysburg” is an oil on canvas painting that measures almost seven feet in height and is over twenty feet in length. Including the frame, it weighs in at over 2,000 pounds (yes, one ton)!
When approaching the painting, you will begin to notice the enormous amount of detail. From the expression on a soldier’s face to the dial on a pocket watch, every element of the battle scene is captured.
Painted between 1864 and 1870, it depicts a scene from the last day (July 3, 1863) of what became known as one of the longest and deadliest battles of the American Civil War. There were over 165,000 troops involved and total casualties were estimated at 51,000 wounded and dead.
“Gettysburg” is on display during regular business hours at the Spartanburg County Public Library (151 South Church Street) and is free to the public. There is also a link available that can be scanned with a smartphone which will allow you to listen to an eleven minute oration describing the scene.
Thank you, guys, for riding along on my ramblings, and remember, Sexy People Leave Tips!
That is a HUGE picture!