Lot 172
  • 172

Morton Künstler

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description

  • Morton K�nstler
  • We Still Love You Just As Much As Ever, General Lee
  • signed M. Künstler and dated '82-89 with copyright, l.r.
  • oil on canvas
  • 26 by 42 in.
  • 66 by 106.5 cm.

Provenance

Hammer Galleries, New York
Robert E. Mullane (acquired from the above, 1982)
Private Collector (acquired from the above, 1991)

Literature

Henry Steele Commager, The American Spirit:  The Paintings of Mort Künstler, New York, 1986, pp. 96, 97, illustrated
James M. McPherson, Images of the Civil War, New York, 1992, pp.166-167 and 183, illustrated
Mort Künstler, The Civil War Paintings of Mort Künstler, Nashville, 2008, volume 4, p. 214-215, illustrated

Condition

Canvas is not lined. SURFACE: in good condition UNDER ULTRA VIOLET: no apparent inpainting
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

This work is part of Künstler's celebrated Civil War series, which initially grew out of a commission for the CBS mini-series, The Blue and The Gray.  Some twenty years before, Künstler had read Burke Davis' book, To Appomattox and remembered being particularly moved by the poignant account of General Lee's dignified surrender.  Künstler recalled, "I once read how, after the surrender at Appomattox, General Lee rode back through his troops.  Word of the surrender had already spread, and he was met with great sorrow.  According to that account, 'some soldiers reached out to touch his horse as he rode by'.  The title of this painting comes from that account."

Offered together with a copy of the book, The American Spirit:  The Paintings of Mort Künstler