Existing comment:
Battle Of Lookout Mountain (painting):
James Walker's monumental work, "The Battle of Lookout Mountain" (13 feet by 30 feet), marked the climax of his career as a master of military art. Born in England, Walker began his artistic training at the Academy in Albany, NY, and taught art at the Mexican Military College in Tampico, Mexico at the age of twenty-two. He was caught in Mexico City at the outbreak of the Mexican War, escaped to serve as an interpreter for General Worth, and sketched numerous battled. By the Civil War, Walker had achieved a reputation as a military artist. His other most famous works are: "The Battle of Chapultepec (9 feet by 19 feet) and "The Battle of Gettysburg: Repulse of Longstreet's Assault" (7 feet by 20 feet).
Walker's largest painting focuses on the fighting on Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863. He witnessed the battle, thoroughly explored the terrain for six or seven months in 1864, and interviewed the generals involved.
Commissioned by General Joseph Hooker for $20,000,. this painting shows the climax of the battle at mid-day. Painted between 1864 and 1874, the picture toured the country when completed. It was owned by General Hooker's descendants, the Treadwell family of Watertown, NY, who donated the painting to the National Park Service in 1957. It was placed in storage until restored in 1986 through public donations. Walter's masterpiece was unveiled and placed on display August 19, 1986. |