Here's a fun one! (Lithograph)

[Mark F. Jenkins]

This is one I've had for a number of years. I have kept it because A) it was a gift from a good friend of mine, and B) it amuses me because I think it might contain the largest number of inaccuracies that I've ever seen in one image anywhere... just about everything shown or said is wrong.

Just a sample:

* The river is on the wrong side if it's supposed to be Donelson.
* Donelson should be atop the hill, not below it.
* The flags appear to be flying in different directions.
* There appears to be a line of Confederates sneaking up on Grant from behind (yeah, I know, they just didn't color them blue, but that's what it looks like).
* The second line of Union troops appears ready to fire into the first line.
* Grant's head is rather awkwardly stuck onto his body, and is obviously based on the early-war photo of him with the longer beard.
* The pair of what look to be gunboats in the background are a Laurel-and-Hardy pair-- a very fat one and a very skinny one!
* Oh... and there's the text. Where to begin? They spelled Donelson correctly, and also placed it in Tennessee. There's not much else I can find of factual value otherwise.
* I am impressed with Grant's troops' ability to storm "breastwoks." I am thinking this is possibly the first reference to the Oriental style cooking pot that I have seen.

 

[UCVRelics]

It is very amusing but the folks at Currier & Ives didn't know any better and I'm sure it was published in papers.

 

[Sheltowee]

Grant's expression "just another day at the office". Him and his little sword.

I love it…..

 

[Nathan Stuart]

This type of misrepresentative image might be a precursor for conducting similar activities in another thread.

Maybe some other factually incorrect image could be posted elsewhere, then members asked to spot and list the inaccuracies/errors found in the scene. Some participants might find such an activity to be an enjoyable indulgence for testing their own knowledge of the subject.

 

[Vicksburger]

Looks like the photographer was shouting "Hey Grant!" and snapped the picture.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

It is very amusing but the folks at Currier & Ives didn't know any better and I'm sure it was published in papers.

Very likely. I imagine an editor or someone saying, "Hey, Grant captured Fort Donelson! I need a picture." The artist asks for any other details, and the editor responds, "Just use your imagination-- in a hundred years, who's going to care?"

 

[Library Lady]

The thing with Grant is a variant of the twisted torso perspective. This was common in Egyptian art (think "walk like an Egyptian"). The lower part of the person (and, in this case, the horse as well) is shown from the side. The torso and head twist so that they are shown from head-on. This is done to specifically show who the person is and that he is an important person. You'll notice that all the rank-and-file people are shown side-on only with generic/indistinct features. This tended to be true in Egyptian art, too, probably not just for showing the "pecking order", but also to make it easier to do all the work necessary for a temple or tomb to try to get it done on time. A template could be developed for producing masses of "unimportant" people like soldiers and slaves.

I like @Nathan Stuart 's idea to post other artwork to critique for accuracy/technique.

 

[CavRTO]

This type of misrepresentative image might be a precursor for conducting similar activities in another thread.

Maybe some other factually incorrect image could be posted elsewhere, then members asked to spot and list the inaccuracies/errors found in the scene. Some participants might find such an activity to be an enjoyable indulgence for testing their own knowledge of the subject.

Another opportunity for me to wear my dunce cap

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Another opportunity for me to wear my dunce cap

Well, me too, but for sure I'd learn a lot more. And what is CWT for many of us except an opportunity to test beliefs and learn? I second (or third?) the idea of examining old lithographs!

 

[Old Soldier]

I always marvel at the pose the artists have given to soldiers in battle at this time - straight lines and every man the same height and pose!

 

[Nathan Stuart]

I always marvel at the pose the artists have given to soldiers in battle at this time - straight lines and every man the same height and pose!

Agree. Have generally found such artwork to portray ideals, rather than realities. For instance, all soldier outfits are complete and in pristine condition.

 

[John Winn]

And there's that one cannon and it's placement and crew and lack of any support. Yeah, that piece is a keeper for sure.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

I like @Nathan Stuart 's idea to post other artwork to critique for accuracy/technique.

Thought it could provide a worthwhile (and novel) opportunity for some brainstorming of observations. Such an activity might also produce a variety of interpretations from different viewers.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I always wonder what the people who were actually there thought of this kind of representation. Did they have a different expectation of accuracy? Or did they just not say anything at the time?

 

[Sheltowee]

I always wonder what the people who were actually there thought of this kind of representation. Did they have a different expectation of accuracy? Or did they just not say anything at the time?

Excellent question. Any evidence/ examples of some guy picking up a Harper's Weekly and saying "hold up now. I was there….. and it looked nothing like this!!"?

 

[7thWisconsin]

I can´t recall ever seeing anything like that. I wonder if they just kept quiet postwar when they saw artwork like this, which really leads to a disconnect between the photographic record and how the war was perceived and celebrated in everybody´s parlors.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Excellent question. Any evidence/ examples of some guy picking up a Harper's Weekly and saying "hold up now. I was there….. and it looked nothing like this!!"?

I've come across a couple comments in diaries in which the writer eagerly awaits the newspapers because he expects to read about the wonderful actions of his unit in a recent fight, only to be disappointed because it is either not mentioned at all or is only credited with a small part in the overall battle. It's all about perspective sometimes.

 

[Pollaco]

Where are all the other beards? Surely Grant wasn't the only bearded one there.

 

[A. Roy]

I'm struck by the contrast between Grant and everyone else in this image in terms of emotion. The soldiers all show aggression or even anguish, but Grant just sits there with this placid expression and limp-wristed pose -- 'Oh, why don't we go over there.' Even the horse has more emotion than Grant. Wonder what the artist was trying to communicate.
ARB

 

[Pollaco]

I'm curious, what are those whitish buildings in the background?