Latest Gallon painting farbism's

[DougCooper]

Gang - check out this latest Gallon offering. Besides the obvious "reenactor present arms" of the Heavy Arty soldier to the far right, does anyone know if Heavy Arty unit acted as an honor guard for Lincoln during his visit? All the surviving photos I have seen were infantry.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Doug,

Unfortunately Gallon's personal and professional standards have slipped in the last couple of decades. At one time I very much enjoyed his work, for a long time he had done the best USSS Gettysburg painting until very recently. Nevertheless, about ten or so years ago he released a USSS print entitled "A good shot" in which a number of riflemen are grouped together apparently aiming at a single long range target and using a bayonet to steady their rifle. A complete and utter joke of a historical painting.

Brian was in Gallon's gallery some time recently after the release of this print and in talking with the lady there said he was interested in the Sharpshooters and she asked him what he thought of Dale's latest sharpshooter print. Brian told her flat out that he considered it an "artist's misconception" of history. Unnoticed by Brian, sitting not ten feet away, silent through the entire conversation was Dale who then got up and left the room.

Apparently having someone tell you practically to your face that your work is garbage had no effect on him. His "art" will forever be of interest primarily to tourists and the type of person who thinks "Gone with the Wind" is a historical documentary.


Best,

[flattop32355]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Were there any heavy artillery units serving as infantry in the town when Lincoln came through? If so, it's possible he's a lone soldier rendering a salute to his commander in chief.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Hallo!

Seemingly, if an artist uses models drawn or photographs taken, from certain segments of the reenacting community, the paintings and prints tend to imititate life.

IMHO, the appeal and marketability of some artists' work comes from the associations made by some reenactors in seeing themselves in the painting/print and therefore "history."

But, sometimes art is "evocative" and not "documentary." I have Gallon's
"Breechloaders and Greencoats" on my living room wall for the "evocation" and not the early summer of 1862 stereotypical Sharpshooters of the 2nd U.S.S.S. on Plum Run.

I am lazy today, and do not feel like checking... but I recall some of the
1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery were at or near Gettysburg in the Artillery Reserve in July.

On the other hand, he could have be a Heavy home on leave (under arms) at the time of Lincoln's visit. ;)

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt

[Dignann]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

...does anyone know if Heavy Arty unit acted as an honor guard for Lincoln during his visit?

According to a member of the 5th New York Heavy Artillery, he and some of his battalion were present.

"In November, 1863, it was our privilege and honor to be detailed by our lamented President, Abraham Lincoln, to accompany him to that sacred spot, Gettysburg, to dedicate it to the memory of so many noble lives, and to listen to that memorable address..."

Robert Cooper, The Prison Pens of the South: Personal History of a Prisoner in the Hands of the Confederacy (Brooklyn, N.Y.: Press of IW Chalmers, 1896)

Other accounts mention Lincoln being serenaded at the Wills House, on the night of November 18, by the band of the 5th New York Heavy Artillery.

Eric
Eric

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Apparently having someone tell you practically to your face that your work is garbage had no effect on him.

Maybe Brian should go back and comment on the pricing on Gallon's website...$25,000? :confused_

Now this is a painting...

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

I was hoping no one would ever speak of that again...thanks Dan! :baring_te

That was a major lesson in something called "tact."

[Mcguire]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Dale's efforts have always been very inconsistant in terms of quality, realism, and historical accuracy. The lack of realism can be excused due to his limited ability as an artist, however the quality , I think, is perhaps attributed to a "crank em out" mentality. Dale has produced decent efforts, "Sound the Charge" comes to mind, but some of his work looks almost cartoonish, this lastest effort bears that out!

Here's a great link to contemporary Civil War artists, very spot on! http://wesclark.com/jw/cw_art.html
.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Jeez! It looks like Old Abe is doing a vaudeville soft-shoe routine...much to the delight of the crowd.

Paul McKee

[DougCooper]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

According to a member of the 5th New York Heavy Artillery, he and some of his battalion were present.

"In November, 1863, it was our privilege and honor to be detailed by our lamented President, Abraham Lincoln, to accompany him to that sacred spot, Gettysburg, to dedicate it to the memory of so many noble lives, and to listen to that memorable address..."

Robert Cooper, The Prison Pens of the South: Personal History of a Prisoner in the Hands of the Confederacy (Brooklyn, N.Y.: Press of IW Chalmers, 1896)

Other accounts mention Lincoln being serenaded at the Wills House, on the night of November 18, by the band of the 5th New York Heavy Artillery.

Eric
Eric

Outstanding Eric, thanks.

[Pat.Lewis]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Thanks for the link Bryan. Good God, who paints Washington at the Whiskey Rebellion? I find that episode one of the most egregious violations of citizens' rights in Washington's career (note citizens' rights, excluding the various & sundry qualms slaves and Indians may have with him) and a mockery of liberty. ...then again, I'm not a big fan of the Federalists.

Point being, I don't know who he's trying to sell to because 1) who the hell knows about the Whiskey Rebellion...honestly and 2) I don't know that I trust the man who wants "Washington reviewing the troops who are about to go out and suppress other citizens' right to dissent" hanging in his office.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Hallo!

The "200th" of the Whiskey Rebellion was a minor but largely unnoticed "splash" for a number of local Pennsylvania communities and surviving sites.

Curt

[Parault]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Doug,

Apparently having someone tell you practically to your face that your work is garbage had no effect on him. His "art" will forever be of interest primarily to tourists and the type of person who thinks "Gone with the Wind" is a historical documentary.


Best,

You mean it's not?:D

[KPavia]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

I was hoping no one would ever speak of that again...thanks Dan! :baring_te

That was a major lesson in something called "tact."

But sometimes you just have to say what needs to be said. Maybe in the long run, he'll take what you said into account.

This kinda reminds me of a painting I saw of Mexican American war troops carrying Russian Mosin Nagants.

[DougCooper]

Re: Latest Gallon painting farbism's

Got a nice e-mail from Anne Gallon assuring me that there was nothing wrong with the depiction of the soldier in the print, because several members of the US Army War College said so.

As a graduate of said institution, I am tempted to write back and remind her that again, the manuals and photos of the period rule, not reenactor photos. But I won't, though I may already have done enough to take the heat off of Brian for his gutsy call, long ignored :D

Surely somewhere within the vast USMHI photo collection there is one with a soldier at Present Arms. Poor Dale - still going to the wrong events to take pictures ;)

If Gallon were doing anything besides historical subjects, in Gettysburg, he would be no more than a second rate artist. His flat, lifeless, poorly proportioned, manufactured style inspires less admiration than even Kuntsler. His latest depiction of Washington is a new low. I guess Dale was trying to keep up with Don Troiani's excellent Washington prints by finding the last, most obscure moment he could with George in uniform.

Wes Clark's immortal question "But is it art?" is so perfect.