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Catalog Data

Artist:
Ole Peter Hansen Balling, 13 Apr 1823 - 1 May 1906  Search this
Sitter:
Thomas Casimer Devin, 10 Dec 1822 - 4 Apr 1878  Search this
George Armstrong Custer, 5 Dec 1839 - 25 Jun 1876  Search this
Hugh Judson Kilpatrick, 14 Jan 1836 - 2 Dec 1881  Search this
William Hemsley Emory, 7 Sep 1811 - 1 Dec 1887  Search this
Philip Henry Sheridan, 6 Mar 1831 - 5 Aug 1888  Search this
James Birdseye McPherson, 14 Nov 1828 - 22 Jul 1864  Search this
George Crook, 8 Sep 1828 - 21 Mar 1890  Search this
Wesley Merritt, 16 Jun 1834 - 3 Dec 1910  Search this
George Henry Thomas, 31 Jul 1816 - 28 Mar 1870  Search this
Gouverneur Kemble Warren, 8 Jan 1830 - 8 Aug 1882  Search this
George Gordon Meade, 31 Dec 1815 - 6 Nov 1872  Search this
John Grubb Parke, 22 Sep 1827 - 16 Dec 1900  Search this
William Tecumseh Sherman, 8 Feb 1820 - 14 Feb 1891  Search this
John Alexander Logan, 9 Feb 1826 - 26 Dec 1886  Search this
Ulysses Simpson Grant, 27 Apr 1822 - 23 Jul 1885  Search this
Ambrose Everett Burnside, 23 May 1824 - 13 Sep 1881  Search this
Joseph Hooker, 13 Nov 1814 - 31 Oct 1879  Search this
Winfield Scott Hancock, 14 Feb 1824 - 9 Feb 1886  Search this
John Aaron Rawlins, 13 Feb 1831 - 6 Sep 1869  Search this
Edward Otho Cresap Ord, 18 Oct 1818 - 22 Jul 1883  Search this
Francis Preston Blair, Jr., 19 Feb 1821 - 9 Jul 1875  Search this
Alfred Howe Terry, 10 Nov 1827 - 16 Dec 1890  Search this
Henry Warner Slocum, 24 Sep 1827 - 14 Apr 1894  Search this
Jefferson Columbus Davis, 2 Mar 1828 - 30 Nov 1879  Search this
Oliver Otis Howard, 8 Nov 1830 - 26 Oct 1909  Search this
John McAllister Schofield, 29 Sep 1831 - 4 Mar 1906  Search this
Joseph Anthony Mower, 22 Aug 1827 - 6 Jan 1870  Search this
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
58.4 x 92.7cm (23 x 36 1/2")
Frame: 100.3 x 134.6 x 12.7cm (39 1/2 x 53 x 5")
Type:
Painting
Date:
c. 1865
Exhibition Label:
As the Civil War moved into its final stages in the fall of 1864, the Norwegian artist Ole Peter Hansen Balling and a prosperous New Yorker conceived of the idea for a large equestrian painting depicting the commander of the Union armies, Ulysses S. Grant, flanked by an array of generals who served under him. Upon completion, the painting would be used to raise funds for the United States Sanitary Commission, a private organization for aiding sick and wounded soldiers. To obtain likenesses of the twenty-seven figures in the picture, Balling traveled to Union army encampments to make life studies of his subjects. Among the most cooperative was Grant, who gave Balling repeated opportunities to draw him as he rode with staff officers to survey the forward lines near his headquarters at City Point, Virginia.
The final rendering of Grant and His Generals approached being life-sized. Balling also painted this smaller version, most likely to serve as the template for a color lithograph of the picture. Today both paintings are in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection; the large version is on display in a nearby stairwell.
Left to right: Thomas C. Devin (1822–1878), George A. Custer (1839–1876), Hugh J. Kilpatrick (1836–1881), William H. Emory (1811–1887), Philip H. Sheridan (1831–1888), James B. McPherson (1828–1864), George Crook (1830–1890), Wesley Merritt (1834–1910), George H. Thomas (1816–1870), Gouverneur Kemble Warren (1830–1882), George G. Meade (1815–1872), John G. Parke (1827–1900), William T. Sherman (1820–1891), John A. Logan (1826–1886), Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885), Ambrose E. Burnside (1824–1881), Joseph Hooker (1814–1879), Winfield Scott Hancock (1824–1886), John A. Rawlins (1831–1869), Edward O. C. Ord (1818–1883), Francis Preston Blair (1821–1875), Alfred H. Terry (1827–1890), Henry W. Slocum (1827–1894), Jefferson C. Davis (1828–1879), Oliver O. Howard (1830–1909), John M. Schofield (1831–1906), Joseph A. Mower (1827–1870)
Mientras la Guerra Civil se acercaba a su etapa final en el otoño de 1864, el artista noruego Ole Peter Hansen Balling y un próspero neoyorquino idearon hacer una pintura ecuestre de gran formato que representara al comandante de los ejércitos de la Unión, Ulysses S. Grant, flanqueado por un nutrido grupo de los generales que estaban bajo sus órdenes. El cuadro se utilizaría para recaudar fondos a beneficio del Comité Sanitario de Estados Unidos, organización privada que ayudaba a los soldados enfermos o heridos. Para poder hacer los retratos de los veintisiete personajes que aparecen en el cuadro, Balling visitó los campamentos de la Unión y dibujó bocetos del natural. Entre los modelos más cooperadores estuvo Grant, quien permitió a Balling dibujarlo en varias ocasiones mientras cabalgaba con sus oficiales para inspeccionar el frente de batalla cerca de su cuartel general en City Point, Virginia.
La versión final de Grant y sus generales es casi de tamaño natural. Balling también pintó esta versión más pequeña, probablemente como plantilla para una litografía a color. Hoy, ambas pinturas se encuentran en la colección de la National Portrait Gallery. La versión grande se expone en el vano de una escalera cercana.
Desde la izquierda: Thomas C. Devin (1822–1878), George A. Custer (1839–1876), Hugh J. Kilpatrick (1836–1881), William H. Emory (1811–1887), Philip H. Sheridan (1831–1888), James B. McPherson (1828–1864), George Crook (1830–1890), Wesley Merritt (1834–1910), George H. Thomas (1816–1870), Gouverneur Kemble Warren (1830–1882), George G. Meade (1815–1872), John G. Parke (1827–1900), William T. Sherman (1820–1891), John A. Logan (1826–1886), Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885), Ambrose E. Burnside (1824–1881), Joseph Hooker (1814–1879), Winfield Scott Hancock (1824–1886), John A. Rawlins (1831–1869), Edward O. C. Ord (1818–1883), Francis Preston Blair (1821–1875), Alfred H. Terry (1827–1890), Henry W. Slocum (1827–1894), Jefferson C. Davis (1828–1879), Oliver O. Howard (1830–1909), John M. Schofield (1831–1906), Joseph A. Mower (1827–1870)
Topic:
Costume\Headgear\Military  Search this
Weapon\Sword  Search this
Exterior\Landscape\Battleground  Search this
Nature & Environment\Animal\Horse  Search this
Symbols & Motifs\Flag\Military  Search this
Symbols & Motifs\Flag\National\United States  Search this
Hugh Judson Kilpatrick: Male  Search this
Hugh Judson Kilpatrick: Politics and Government\Diplomat\Minister  Search this
Hugh Judson Kilpatrick: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Major General  Search this
John Aaron Rawlins: Male  Search this
John Aaron Rawlins: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of War  Search this
John Aaron Rawlins: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
John Aaron Rawlins: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
George Gordon Meade: Male  Search this
George Gordon Meade: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
George Gordon Meade: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
George Gordon Meade: Science and Technology\Engineer\Military engineer  Search this
John Alexander Logan: Male  Search this
John Alexander Logan: Law and Crime\Lawyer  Search this
John Alexander Logan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
John Alexander Logan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
John Alexander Logan: Politics and Government\US Senator\Illinois  Search this
John Alexander Logan: Politics and Government\State Legislator\Illinois  Search this
John Alexander Logan: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Illinois  Search this
Winfield Scott Hancock: Male  Search this
Winfield Scott Hancock: Politics and Government\Presidential candidate  Search this
Winfield Scott Hancock: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Winfield Scott Hancock: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Winfield Scott Hancock: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Brigadier General  Search this
Winfield Scott Hancock: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Major General  Search this
George Armstrong Custer: Male  Search this
George Armstrong Custer: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Henry Warner Slocum: Male  Search this
Henry Warner Slocum: Law and Crime\Lawyer  Search this
Henry Warner Slocum: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Colonel  Search this
Henry Warner Slocum: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Henry Warner Slocum: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Henry Warner Slocum: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Brigadier General  Search this
Henry Warner Slocum: Politics and Government\US Congressman\New York  Search this
Henry Warner Slocum: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Major General  Search this
Alfred Howe Terry: Male  Search this
Alfred Howe Terry: Law and Crime\Lawyer  Search this
Alfred Howe Terry: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Alfred Howe Terry: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
James Birdseye McPherson: Male  Search this
James Birdseye McPherson: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
James Birdseye McPherson: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Brigadier General  Search this
James Birdseye McPherson: Science and Technology\Engineer\Military engineer  Search this
James Birdseye McPherson: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Major General  Search this
George Crook: Male  Search this
George Crook: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
George Crook: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Edward Otho Cresap Ord: Male  Search this
Edward Otho Cresap Ord: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War  Search this
Edward Otho Cresap Ord: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Joseph Hooker: Male  Search this
Joseph Hooker: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War  Search this
Joseph Hooker: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Major General  Search this
Joseph Anthony Mower: Male  Search this
Joseph Anthony Mower: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Colonel  Search this
Joseph Anthony Mower: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Joseph Anthony Mower: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Captain  Search this
Joseph Anthony Mower: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Joseph Anthony Mower: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Major General  Search this
Thomas Casimer Devin: Male  Search this
Thomas Casimer Devin: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Colonel  Search this
Thomas Casimer Devin: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Thomas Casimer Devin: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Brigadier General  Search this
William Hemsley Emory: Male  Search this
William Hemsley Emory: Literature\Writer  Search this
William Hemsley Emory: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War  Search this
William Hemsley Emory: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Brigadier General  Search this
William Hemsley Emory: Science and Technology\Scientist\Astronomer  Search this
George Henry Thomas: Male  Search this
George Henry Thomas: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
George Henry Thomas: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Philip Henry Sheridan: Male  Search this
Philip Henry Sheridan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Colonel  Search this
Philip Henry Sheridan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Philip Henry Sheridan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Captain  Search this
Philip Henry Sheridan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Philip Henry Sheridan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Brigadier General  Search this
Philip Henry Sheridan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Major General  Search this
Francis Preston Blair, Jr.: Male  Search this
Francis Preston Blair, Jr.: Law and Crime\Lawyer  Search this
Francis Preston Blair, Jr.: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Francis Preston Blair, Jr.: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Francis Preston Blair, Jr.: Politics and Government\US Senator\Missouri  Search this
Francis Preston Blair, Jr.: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Missouri  Search this
Francis Preston Blair, Jr.: Politics and Government\State Legislator\Missouri  Search this
William Tecumseh Sherman: Male  Search this
William Tecumseh Sherman: Law and Crime\Lawyer  Search this
William Tecumseh Sherman: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War  Search this
William Tecumseh Sherman: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
William Tecumseh Sherman: Business and Finance\Banking and Finance\Banker  Search this
William Tecumseh Sherman: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
John Grubb Parke: Male  Search this
John Grubb Parke: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
John Grubb Parke: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Oliver Otis Howard: Male  Search this
Oliver Otis Howard: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Oliver Otis Howard: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Oliver Otis Howard: Literature\Writer\Historical  Search this
Oliver Otis Howard: Education and Scholarship\Founder\University  Search this
Jefferson Columbus Davis: Male  Search this
Jefferson Columbus Davis: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Jefferson Columbus Davis: Law and Crime\Criminal\Murderer  Search this
John McAllister Schofield: Male  Search this
John McAllister Schofield: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of War  Search this
John McAllister Schofield: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
John McAllister Schofield: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Wesley Merritt: Male  Search this
Wesley Merritt: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Wesley Merritt: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Male  Search this
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Natural Resource Occupations\Agriculturist\Farmer  Search this
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of War  Search this
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War  Search this
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Politics and Government\President of US  Search this
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Congressional Gold Medal  Search this
Ambrose Everett Burnside: Male  Search this
Ambrose Everett Burnside: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Business executive\Railroad executive  Search this
Ambrose Everett Burnside: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Ambrose Everett Burnside: Politics and Government\US Senator\Rhode Island  Search this
Ambrose Everett Burnside: Politics and Government\Governor\Rhode Island  Search this
Gouverneur Kemble Warren: Male  Search this
Gouverneur Kemble Warren: Education and Scholarship\Educator\Teacher  Search this
Gouverneur Kemble Warren: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army  Search this
Gouverneur Kemble Warren: Science and Technology\Engineer\Civil engineer  Search this
Portrait  Search this
Credit Line:
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; transfer from the Library of Congress
Object number:
S/NPG.76.8
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location:
Currently not on view
Data Source:
National Portrait Gallery
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4cd13a643-a595-4087-9f32-2552768cd346
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:npg_S_NPG.76.8