French Mary

[Kurt G]

This is a 1/10th scale bust of Marie Tepe , better known as "French Mary". She served as a vivandiere with the 114th Pennsylvania and seems to have been very brave and dedicated . She was awarded the Kearny Cross after being wounded at Chancellorsville . She did not wear the medal because she thought she didn't deserve it , but agreed to wear it for the iconic image taken at Gettysburg . Sadly she became destitute and in very poor health in her later years . , still in pain from her Chancellorsville wound . She committed suicide in 1901 .
This is a resin bust and was painted in acrylics .

 

[rebel brit]

That's a great sculpted bust and you've done an excellent job on the painting. You'll know what I mean if I said ' boxart standard'.

 

[Booner]

I agree, Kurt could easily be painting the box art for new figures.

 

[James N.]

Although obviously not French Mary Tepe I thought I'd post this old Squadron Rubin figure of a French Napoleonic vivandiere here. This is a 54mm figure; note the colors of her keg - the red-white-and-blue of the tricolor. I suspect French Mary's was similarly painted since her chasseur regiment had a similar color scheme. I have seen now very long ago a photo of an absolutely beautiful Imrie-Risley 54mm French Mary figure.

 

[Kurt G]

View attachment 430546

Although obviously not French Mary Tepe I thought I'd post this old Squadron Rubin figure of a French Napoleonic vivandiere here. This is a 54mm figure; note the colors of her keg - the red-white-and-blue of the tricolor. I suspect French Mary's was similarly painted since her chasseur regiment had a similar color scheme. I have seen now very long ago a photo of an absolutely beautiful Imrie-Risley 54mm French Mary figure.

View attachment 430547
View attachment 430549

French Mary 's original keg was destroyed and the replacement had red white and blue markings and her name on it . I couldn't find any better description of it so I painted it in plain wood . I bought a few of the old Squadron Rubin figures but the ones I got were of pretty poor quality .

 

[James N.]

French Mary 's original keg was destroyed and the replacement had red white and blue markings and her name on it . I couldn't find any better description of it so I painted it in plain wood . I bought a few of the old Squadron Rubin figures but the ones I got were of pretty poor quality .

This is the only one I have; I don't now remember if I had any others. As you can see the sculpting of this small one-piece casting is very nice - too bad I'll never actually paint it! In my favorite photo of Mary Tepe she's standing alongside the Baltimore Turnpike at the entrance to Gettysburg's town cemetery but she's so small in the picture I don't remember if she has her keg or if she does whether or not it can be seen.

 

[Kurt G]

This is the only one I have; I don't now remember if I had any others. As you can see the sculpting of this small one-piece casting is very nice - too bad I'll never actually paint it! In my favorite photo of Mary Tepe she's standing alongside the Baltimore Turnpike at the entrance to Gettysburg's town cemetery but she's so small in the picture I don't remember if she has her keg or if she does whether or not it can be seen.

In the old Squadron Shop ads they never showed the actual figures , just illustrations . Your vivandiere is nice even by today's standards . I'm thinking Squadron Rubin used more than one sculptor . The 2 that I bought were so bad I threw them away. French Mary served in many roles , including nurse . She probably wouldn't always have her keg .

 

[DixieRifles]

French Mary 's original keg was destroyed and the replacement had red white and blue markings and her name on it . I couldn't find any better description of it so I painted it in plain wood .

I just saw this post. Nice job.

Was she really armed with a pistol?

I also would like to ask a Technical Question. I thought this would be a good place as any to post it.
I'm just learning to use acrylic paints and have been trying to build up my supply of Vallejo paints. I have read some tips on how to stir it if it gets too thick. However, my question is a little different.
Q: Can I store my Vallejo acrylic paints in the garage at below freezing temps? I guess it doesn't freeze but it may cause some harm. Normally it only gets as low as 25 degrees (F) but not that often.

 

[Kurt G]

I just saw this post. Nice job.

Was she really armed with a pistol?

I also would like to ask a Technical Question. I thought this would be a good place as any to post it.
I'm just learning to use acrylic paints and have been trying to build up my supply of Vallejo paints. I have read some tips on how to stir it if it gets too thick. However, my question is a little different.
Q: Can I store my Vallejo acrylic paints in the garage at below freezing temps? I guess it doesn't freeze but it may cause some harm. Normally it only gets as low as 25 degrees (F) but not that often.

Yes she did carry a pistol as did Annie Etheridge who served with a few Michigan regiments .
I don't think I'd recommend storing it near or below freezing . That said , I have ordered it during the winter and I assume it could get pretty cold in the back of a delivery truck .

 

[DixieRifles]

That said , I have ordered it during the winter and I assume it could get pretty cold in the back of a delivery truck .

Most people wonder if their FedEx package or if their luggage in the belly will freeze. How do you think they ship flowers and pets?
Of course, I might worry about the package between the time it leaves the aircraft until it gets into the sort facility.