The Making of a Masterpiece: Last Tribute of Respect - 7

The funeral for Thomas Jackson was the most widely publicized of any fallen Confederate commander. The Lexington Gazette stated that “He left the Va. Military Institute in command of the Cadets. He has been brought back to sleep among us--a world renowned Christian Hero.”

The procession that followed the caisson was made up of the Stonewall Brigade, wounded warriors, dozens of honorary pallbearers, the entire Cadet Corps, officials from every level of government, thousands of civilians, men women and children, Confederate officers, family and friends. - Mort Künstler

The Making of a Masterpiece: Last Tribute of Respect - 6

Thomas Jackson served on the VMI faculty as Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy & Instructor of Artillery from August of 1851 until the beginning of the Civil War in April of 1861.

The Virginia Military Institute is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Today, evidence of the legacy of General Jackson can be found all over the grounds in the form of statues and inscriptions.

The viewer can now see the VMI Barracks to the left. To the right is the statue of George Washington.

The Making of a Masterpiece: Last Tribute of Respect - 5

Major General F.H. Smith, the superintendent at VMI, issued a declaration to his students that stated, “Surely the Virginia Military Institute has a precious inheritance in the memory of General Jackson. His work is finished. God gave him to us, and to his country. He fitted him for his work, and when his work was done He called him to Himself.”

I chose the moment on Friday morning, May 15th, when the casket was brought out through the Washington Arch and loaded onto the caisson. It was a day of somber pageantry; the day of the funeral and burial. – Mort Künstler

Everything in Mort Künstler’s paintings has been researched. Mort reads and consults the experts in various fields to make his paintings as accurate as possible. When there is absolutely no record on a particular fact and only then, he takes artistic liberties to interpret what may have happened.

The Making of a Masterpiece: Last Tribute of Respect - 4

The general’s body was first placed at the Governor's Mansion in Richmond for the public to mourn, and then it was transported for burial near his home in Lexington. Upon arrival the casket was received by a corps of cadets, escorted to the Virginia Military Institute, and placed in the very same lecture room where, as a Professor, Jackson had taught prior to the war.

Capturing the very beginning of Jackson’s funeral procession was a unique concept, but there was more on my mind. I also wanted the painting to serve as a prequel to “Final Visit,” with Robert E. Lee at Jackson’s grave in Lexington. – Mort Künstler

The Making of a Masterpiece: Last Tribute of Respect - 3

After being accidentally wounded by friendly fire during the Battle of Chancellorsville, Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson struggled for eight days after an amputation, before finally succumbing to pneumonia on May 10, 1863.

Mort Künstler likes to draw his final sketch on brown paper. He does this in order to highlight where the lighting effect will take place.

The Making of a Masterpiece: Last Tribute of Respect - 2

In the previous painting, “Road to Glory,” I showed Jackson leaving the Virginia Military Institute at the head of the Cadet Corps at the beginning of the war. In this piece “Last Tribute of Respect,” I once again show him leaving VMI for the last time…in his coffin. – Mort

Trying to include all the elements that would make a great painting, Mort Künstler created several preliminary drawings.

With the cooperation of Colonel Keith Gibson of VMI, he was able to obtain pictures of the era, important information about changes to the structure, and VMI military procedures.

The Making of a Masterpiece: Last Tribute of Respect - 1

For years I have been asked to paint sequels to some of my “Stonewall” Jackson paintings. Generally speaking, I have skirted around those requests while portraying other events in Jackson’s life that have intrigued me. That is, until now… - Mort Künstler

Mort starts each painting with sketches. It was difficult to settle on the angle he wanted to portray.

In honor of a beloved sister

The past several weeks have been rough here at the studio, first with the passing of Mort’s mother-in-law, and then last week with the passing of his beloved and only sister Rhoda Gayle. She had the class and presence of a true lady and was so proud of her little brother since childhood. All who knew her will miss her.