Mort Künstler pays tribute to Mosby and his men #5

The Gray Ghost
Mosby in Warrenton, January 18, 1863

I feel a great sense of satisfaction from this painting, as I was able to combine all of the desired elements into a single image. This includes placing “The Gray Ghost” and his men in front of the Warrenton County Courthouse, on a significant date in their formation, in the beautiful Virginia snow. - Mort Künstler

Mort Künstler pays tribute to Mosby and his men #4

This unique group represented twelve native Virginians and three Marylanders who had been handpicked by Mosby himself. They formed the original nucleus of “Mosby’s Rangers,” and together they would provide intelligence for the Army of Northern Virginia, while also causing disruptions along the Union army supply lines. Their unique ability to evade Federal pursuers earned their commander the nickname of “The Gray Ghost,” as he and his troops appeared to vanish whenever they ventured into harm’s way.

I imagined the difficulties of getting up the hill on the Alexandria Pike, facing the front of the Courthouse. Although they plowed the roads with horse drawn equipment, wagons and carts would have been rendered immobile and abandoned. The trees around the Courthouse today almost obliterate the building from view on Alexandria Pike, so painting the structure accurately was very challenging. Historian Richard Deardoff of Warrenton was of great assistance with research for this painting. - Mort Künstler

Mort Künstler's skillful use of color, light and shadow give this painting a sense of warmth, even tough it depicts a winter snow scene.

Mort Künstler pays tribute to Mosby and his men #3

By moving my viewpoint around to what is now the Alexandria Pike, I realized that I would not only get a very different angle of the Courthouse from the previous painting, but I could also get the Warren-Green Hotel int he background. I quickly called my good friend and colleague, Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr. and was delighted to learn that it was indeed a bitterly cold windy day that had turned everything white and icy. This gave me my snow scene.- Mort Künstler

Mort Künstler pays tribute to Mosby and his men #2

It has been ten years since I last painted the beautiful Warrenton County Courthouse featured in “The Bravest of the Brave.” In addition, it has been twelve years since I last painted John Singleton Mosby in “While the Enemy Rests.” That is much too long, in my opinion.

I felt it would be wonderful if I could combine both subjects in one painting. Placing Mosby in Warrenton was easy because he operated often out of that area. But there were still a number of obstacles. I wanted to capture a significant moment in his storied career and I also wanted a snow scene. I learned that his first independent command was formed in Warrenton and his original fifteen men stopped off at the Warren-Green Hotel for dinner on January 18, 1863. - Mort Künstler

After Mort transfers the image to the canvas using gridlines, he starts by laying out the background colors

There isn't a set map he follows in deciding what to paint next. As he works on it further, he goes with what seems best at the time.

Mort Künstler pays tribute to Mosby and his men #1

This year’s Mort Künstler snow print depicts spirited First Lieutenant John S. Mosby with a group of soldiers known as “Mosby’s Rangers,” passing in front of the historic Warrenton County Courthouse in beautiful Warrenton, VA. Stories about Mosby and his Rangers were not only exciting, but sometimes unbelievable. Outwitting the Union forces time after time, he was appropriately dubbed “The Gray Ghost.”

As you watch this progression over the next few days we think you’ll agree that this print has all the winning elements to make it a classic. It has the additional draw of being a snow scene, scenes of Mort’s that are fan favorites. And to make it even better, the prints feature the Mosby Heritage Area Association’s* seal, which is sure to make it a highly collectible print.

*The MAHA’s mission is to promote the preservation of the historic, cultural and scenic resources of the Mosby Heritage Area.

Mort sketches out a few options for how he thinks the painting should look. After settling on an angle, he makes a bigger drawing.

Mort then likes to draw his concept on brown paper so he can indicate with chalk where the light effects will go.