Photos from the National Archives: An Evening With Historical Artist Mort Künstler

Mort and Laurie Norton Moffatt, Director/CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum, discuss pivotal moments in Mort's career.

Mort gives an animated history of his illustrations and paintings.

Mort's new release, Absolution Before Victory, is unveiled and a giclée is gifted to the National Archives. From left to right: Congressman Steve Israel, Congressman Tom Suozzi, Jim Gardner, Laurie Norton Moffatt, and Mort Künstler

Mort and Laurie smile for the camera.

Mort is joined by his wife, Debra Künstler, and daughter, Jane Künstler.

2012 Christmas Ornament - My Friend, the Enemy

We proudly introduce our 17th edition Mort Kunstler Collectible Ornament for 2012 entitled "My Friend, The Enemy" The scene in this ornament is set on Virginia’s Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg following the terribly bloody battle th

at occurred there a few weeks earlier. As if they were weary of the war's inhumanity, Southern and Northern soldiers began meeting with each other between the lines. Such fraternization was forbidden on both sides, but the soldiers did so anyway that winter. They met to play cards, exchange gossip and, in this scene, are bartering Northern coffee for Southern tobacco.

The 2012 ornament is also the second in a mini-series of five ornaments entitled the 150th Anniversary Series and commemorates the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States.

Now available at http://www.mortkunstler.com/html/store-gifts-collectibles.asp?action=view&ID=943&cat=166

"Absolution Before Victory"

The Making of "Absolution Before Victory" - Phase 4

The Making of "Absolution Before Victory" - Phase 3

The Making of "Absolution Before Victory" - Phase 2

The Making of "Absolution Before Victory" - Phase 1

Below you can see Mort's charcoal sketches, the first phase in developing his latest painting

Absolution Before Victory. Absolution Before Victory was painted in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam and depicts Father Corby and The Irish Brigade on

September 17, 1862. Stay tuned this week for the entire progression,

with the final unveiling on Friday!

Coming Up For Auction

On September 28^th, Mort Künstler’s Civil War painting We Still Love You General Lee, Just As Much As Ever is coming up for auction at Sotheby’s. This is only the second time a Künstler Civil War painting has gone to auction. The first painting, Keep to Your Sabers, Men! estimated to sell between $30,000 and $50,000, sold for a record price of $98,500.

We Still Love You General Lee was painted in 1982 and featured at a one-man show at Hammer Galleries in New York City. In 1989, before the painting was to be published as a Limited Edition Print, Künstler borrowed the original from its owner and made a number of minor changes he felt would improve it. Because of this, the painting is dated in the lower right corner as 82-89. 

We Still Love You General Lee depicts the Confederate surrender on April 9^th, 1865. Returning to his camp after meeting with U.S. Grant at Appomattox, Lee rides his beloved Traveller through the Southern lines. He wears a full dress uniform, sash, and ceremonial sword. He wanted to look his best for the encounter with Grant, which he had faced with characteristic dignity.

Although defeated, Lee had negotiated generous terms that paroled his men and allowed them to keep their horses. As he rides past them, the soldiers, many with tears in their eyes, cheer and press toward him, touching his leg or even his horse out of affection.

Pausing, Lee told his army, "Men, we have fought the war together, and I have done the best I could for you." He then doffed his hat, uttered a heartfelt good-bye, and returned to his tent. A tattered soldier turned in the ranks and shouted, "We still love you, General Lee!"