Surrender at Appomattox

“Surrender at Appomattox”

April 9th, 1865

SURRENDER AT APPOMATTOX Artist Tom Lovell (1909-1997) was considered one of the finest living historic illustrators in 1964 when commissioned by the National Geographic Society to create a painting of one of the most important events in American history, to be used in an article reflecting on its 100th anniversary.

The date, April 9th 1865, marked the end of the Civil War with the signing and surrender in Wilmer MacLean’s living room in the village of Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. The painting “Surrender at Appomattox” is the most important truly National painting we may ever have in our possession here at Claggett/Rey Gallery and we look upon it as the “peoples painting”. National Geographic realized no such visual record existed of such an important event in our nations history. Artist Tom Lovell was given open access to all written accounts, documents and photographs of those in attendance and access to the location for his meticulous research. This painting has since become accepted as the most authoritative depiction of the event.

Tom Lovell was a perfectionist and clearly the finest choice to create a painting depicting the emotion of the moment. General Grant head of the Union forces in his soiled uniform, with no spurs or saber, sits slump shouldered and tired, truly humble as the significance of the event sets in while observing General Lee head of the Confederacy, dressed in his last best embroidered uniform with polished boots and spurs signing the terms of surrender. Grant, clearly, along with his significant union observers, are heeding Lincoln’s words to allow Lee and the Confederacy very respectful and dignified terms of surrender, to unify the country and become a nation. The honorable way in which the war ended allowed the country to heal with dignity and save from further bloodshed and a guerilla war, which could have lasted for decades.

Paintings created during the Civil War by noted artists such as Winslow Homer (1836-1910), Eastman Johnson (1824-1906), Thomas Moran (1832-1926), John Ross Key (1837-1920), William Aiken Walker (1838-1921) and others, are works reflecting daily life during the times and today are highly regarded as incredible fine art records of the period. Although there were cameras being used throughout the Civil War ironically there were none present at the Surrender at Appomattox nor was there an artist in attendance. There are plenty of written accounts though, documenting virtually every detail of the historic event. The magnitude of the signing and surrender was so significant to the witnessing Union officers they virtually stripped the room bare of all furnishings after Lee’s departure and later troops cut strips of fabric from the couch and the carpet to own some record of the event which they would reflect on the rest of their lives.

The 1990 documentary by Ken Burns is an invaluable series on the Civil War. In the interviews Ken Burns says, “The Civil War, is the most defining, the most important event in American History. Everything before it led up to it, everything since, even though so far away is in some ways a consequence of it. How could we not be drawn to figure out what happened, what actually happened because it matters”.

Contact: Bill Rey 216 Main Street Suite C-100 Edwards, CO 81632 970•476•9350 www.claggettrey.com bill@claggettrey.com