The Making of a Masterpiece - "Mrs. Jackson Comes to Winchester"

The Jackson's love and devotion for each other would carry them through one of the most difficult times in American history. Sadly, less than 6 years after their marriage, "Stonewall" would succumb to a battle wound and pneumonia.



I'm very proud of this painting, to try to equal "Until We Meet Again" is quite a challenge. I believe fans will be pleased with the result, and I hope they share the same sentiments of joy I experienced while painting it. - Mort Künstler

The Making of a Masterpiece - "Mrs. Jackson Comes to Winchester"

The second part of the excerpt of the book, “Stonewall” Jackson by Dr. James I. Robertson, which inspired this painting:

The final stagecoach ride brought Anna to Winchester late at night. She disembarked in front of the Taylor Hotel without baggage and with no one to greet her. With uncertainty she started up the hotel steps. A heavily bearded soldier stepped away from a group of people on the sidewalk and slowly walked up behind her. Powerful arms swung Anna around; kisses rained on her face. It was Jackson. He had ridden down to the hotel with the hope that the midnight stage might bring his wife.

The Making of a Masterpiece - "Mrs. Jackson Comes to Winchester"

The following is the first part of an excerpt from the book "Stonewall" Jackson by Dr. James I. Robertson, which inspired this painting:

…Those reports were not as disturbing to Jackson as they might have been. A wonderful distraction gripped his mind: his beloved Anna was due to arrive in Winchester at any time. For weeks she had been begging to join her husband.

When he seemed agreeable in mid-November, Anna packed quickly for the trip. She refused to wait for the aide Jackson had promised to send as an escort. Friends accompanied her to Richmond; “a kind-hearted but absent-minded old clergyman” traveled with her the rest of the way—even though he managed to lose Anna’s trunk in the process.

The Making of a Masterpiece - "Mrs. Jackson Comes to Winchester"

During the Second Battle of Winchester in July of 1863, the hotel was commandeered by occupying Federal forces that used it as a field headquarters. The Taylor continued to trade hands throughout the course of the conflict and managed to survive the war. Although it is no longer open, the structure is still standing and has become a beacon to architectural preservationists in the area.

The Making of a Masterpiece - "Mrs. Jackson Comes to Winchester"

Even before the war brought armies to its door, the Taylor Hotel was one of the most popular gathering places in all of Winchester. Its two-story building shadowed main-street, standing just down the road from the town’s Greek revival courthouse and alongside solid brick shops, and quaint taverns.

Take a look at the details and this is only the beginning.

The Making of a Masterpiece - "Mrs. Jackson Comes to Winchester"

It is amazing to see that from the mixing of these colors a wonderful painting will emerge!

The Making of a Masterpiece - "Mrs. Jackson Comes to Winchester"

Featuring "Stonewall" and Mary Anna Jackson, Mort Künstler has once again beautifully illustrated a tender moment and given us a masterpiece to cherish for years to come.


Künstler has started to lay some color on his drawn up canvas. Can you tell which landmark will be featured in the painting?

The Making of a Masterpiece - "Mrs. Jackson Comes to Winchester"

To paint “Stonewall” Jackson and his wife Mary Anna in Winchester at night and in the snow is a major problem for me. I did “Until We Meet Again” more than twenty years ago and it still remains one of the most popular paintings I’ve ever done. It has exactly those same elements in it and it is of course, a tough act to follow. – Mort Künstler

Mort draws several sketches to decide on the final composition