The Making of a Masterpiece - The Final Painting

General Joshua L. Chamberlain returned to the slope of Little Round Top in 1913 – 50 years after the Battle of Gettysburg; shortly before his death he wrote this, “I went, it is not long ago, to stand again on that crest whose one day's crown of fire has passed into the blazoned coronet of fame...I sat there alone, on the storied crest, till the sun went down as it did before over the misty hills, and the darkness crept up the slopes, till from all earthly sight I was buried as with those before. But oh, what radiant companionship rose around, what steadfast ranks of power, what bearing of heroic souls. Oh, the glory that beamed through those nights and days...The proud young valor that rose above the mortal, and then at last was mortal after all."

I can only hope that this prequel Rush to the Summit proves to be as well-received as Chamberlain’s Charge. Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine certainly deserve to be remembered – Mort Künstler

The Making of a Masterpiece - Phase 6

The painting is almost finished and Mort Künstler has painted the heat of the day, the rough terrain, the symbolic battle flag, and the brave soldiers of this time in a striking detailed style, which helps the viewer relive this instant in history. These are just a few of the elements that make up the extraordinary artwork of Mort Künstler.

The Making of a Masterpiece - Phase 5

Having lived in Gettysburg all of my life it gives me pause when I look at the dramatic images that Mort Künstler has painted of my hometown.

The first time I saw Rush to the Summit it was on the easel in Mort’s studio, close to completion, and all I could say at first was wow! As most of you know, Mort has painted Chamberlain before, but he has certainly captured an exceptional moment in Rush to the Summit! While there were two opposing sides to the Civil War, I always remind myself that the soldiers who fought were Americans, in a very new nation. The struggles they faced whether dressed in blue or gray were similar, and I have great respect for both sides.
Debra Starry
Dealer Development
American Spirit Publishing

Once the painting is finished, up close you will see the beads of sweat running down the faces of the 20th Maine as they rush to what they hope will be a victory

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain has always been one of my favorite characters from the Civil War. A citizen soldier who forged an extraordinary military career, he went on to a civilian life that was nothing short of spectacular: President of Bowdoin College, acclaimed classroom instructor, and four-time Governor of Maine. Like Lee, he was a man of exceptional character, and his appeal seems to be universal. Today, Chamberlain seems to have as many admirers in the South as he does in the North. - Mort Künstler

The Making of a Masterpiece - Phase 4

Tom Chamberlain, the younger brother and also the aid of J.L. Chamberlain started to appear. He was the youngest brother of J. L. Chamberlain. While there has not been much written about Thomas, we do know that he was born April 29, 1841. Devoted to his older brother, he fought beside him in many battles during the Civil War. He died at the age of 55 from chest ailments that had plagued him most of his life.

The 20th Maine Regiment was "mustered in" on August 20, 1862 and ended their service July 16, 1865.

The Making of a Masterpiece - Rush to the Summit - Phase 3

You can see the copse of trees starting to come alive


In this picture, you can also see Mort's paint tray below the painting. Through the years he has developed unique ways of handling his tools, one of which is using the caps of spray cans as recipients for the thinner he uses to clean his brushes!

The Making of a Masterpiece - Rush to the Summit - Phase 2

The canvas all drawn up. The actual size of the painting is 20" x 38"

The Making of a Masterpiece: Rush to the SummitPhase 1

Rush to the Summit presents Chamberlain at a critical moment in the battle of Gettysburg. It’s a prequel to an earlier and very popular work of mine – Chamberlain’s Charge – which depicts the climax of Chamberlain’s famous and heroic defense of Little Round Top. Rush to the Summit shows Chamberlain on horseback before he dismounted, ordering the 20th Maine up the hill to the summit of Little Round Top. – Mort Künstler





Preliminary sketches