The Making of a Masterpiece: Last Tribute of Respect - 12

In the days following his passing, newspapers printed tributes to the man that many considered a national treasure. The Richmond Times Dispatch published an especially warm homage that summed up the grief of the Confederate faithful. It stated, “Words have no power to express the emotion, which the death of Jackson has aroused in the public mind.”

Mort Künstler’s skillful use of light and shade, color and shadow, give this particular painting a sense of depth. He has also simultaneously captured the somberness of the occasion with the colorful pageantry of the ceremony.

This painting is the only one in existence featuring the transfer of Jackson’s casket from the Virginia Military Institute, en route to the funeral service at the Lexington Presbyterian Church.