The Making of "General Orders 100" - Phase 5

Now that the painting is completed, I feel very pleased with meeting this challenge. Through meticulous research and with a little artistic license, I believe I was able to take a little-known moment in American history and bring it to light in both an accurate and interesting manner. I hope you agree. - Mort Künstler The JAG LCS Alumni Association wanted Mort to paint this little-known moment in American history to help make the general public aware of one of the most important and influential general orders ever given. Upon seeing the original oil painting, the JAG said: “The painting is stunning. We could not be more pleased.”

The Making of "General Orders 100" - Phase 4

Another challenge was making Lincoln’s office look authentic. The painting and sketches by Carpenter showed clearly that the president’s office was a very busy place, with books leaning against the table legs. Maps were viewed and placed on chairs, books were left open and put on the floor to mark their places. All of the wallpaper, the chairs, the carpeting, the rug and the color scheme are based upon his descriptions. - Mort Künstler This dramatic painting is nearly complete. Note how the perspective lines have been painted over.

The Making of "General Orders 100" - Phase 3

One of my biggest challenges was that although photographs exist of the men I wanted to paint, none of them were taken with the head angles or in the lighting that I wanted. - Mort Künstler Here you can see most of the people have been painted. The focal point of the painting is Lincoln holding the Lieber Code. When comparing the photographs of the men to the actual painting, it is very easy to identify who is who.

The Making of "General Orders 100" - Phase 2

In 1987, I painted a picture of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. I used artist Francis Bicknell Carpenter's notes and sketches as a reference source. As a result, I already knew a great deal about Lincoln's office, the room in which General Orders 100 took place. William Bushong, the historian for the White House Historical Association, was very helpful and provided me with additional information. – Mort Künstler Mort’s process of the painting is different with each piece. With this painting, Mort started with the background. You can already tell the lighting is going to be quite dramatic.

The Making of "General Orders 100" - Phase 1

The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School Alumni Association commissioned Mort to do a painting of the Lieber Code, which became the basis for all international treaties, including the Hague Conventions and the Geneva Accords; and now, almost 150 years later, it is still considered the most significant codification of the customs and practices of war. There are practically no facts about the meetings that led to the signing of the Lieber Code. These were the exact reasons why the Judge Advocate General’s LCS Alumni Association wanted me to paint the picture. In their mind, it would help make the general public aware of one of the most important and influential general orders ever given. I eagerly accepted the challenge. – Mort Künstler Before painting, Mort draws in charcoal directly onto the canvas. Above, on the left, you can see Mort drawing up the canvas, with a photograph of the finished drawing on the right.

Painting Presentation

In September 2010, the Judge Advocate General's LCS Alumni Association began the process of commissioning a Second Regimental Print to honor the work and contributions of Judge Advocates to our Army and our Nation.

Mort Künstler was their artist of choice because he is a preeminent Civil War artist, and because they wanted to select a scene to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the start of the Civil War.

The scene selected for the Second Regimental Print depicts President Lincoln’s approval of General Orders No. 100, otherwise known as The Lieber Code.

The title of the print is: “General Orders No. 100, President Lincoln and the Lieber Code, April 1863.”

The painting will be presented to the Commanding General of the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School during the WWCLE in October 2011.