Joe Hooker's portrait

[prroh]

A few weeks ago I mentioned that, after the war , Hooker married a very wealthy woman and that a $25,000 oil portrait of him was commissioned. When challenged for a source, I mentioned that Ed Bearss told me the story. Well, I was with Ed today and asked for details. Here is what Ed said:
1) The price of the portrait was actually $20,000 paid by the estate of his wife who died six months after the marriage,
2) The painter was James Walker , a well known painter of Civil War themed works.
3) The portrait of Hooker atop a large white horse was acquired by the NPS and is now on display at Point Park on Lookout Mtn.

Hope this satisfies the sceptics

 

[tmh10]

I had no doubt. Where can we go to see a picture of the portrait?

 

[James B White]

Ah, not just a portrait, a complex 30-foot battle painting that took four years! That makes more sense.

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/civil_war_series/9/sec6.htm

Commissioned by "Fighting Joe" Hooker to commemorate that general's part in "The Battle Above the Clouds," this second Battle of Lookout Mountain ... covers a thirteen-by-thirty-foot canvas and was produced for $20,000 over a four-year period. Upon completion in 1874, the painting toured the country with stops in New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

 

[prroh]

Ah, not just a portrait, a complex 30-foot battle painting that took four years! That makes more sense.

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/civil_war_series/9/sec6.htm

Never saw the picture but it looks like it may be the one

 

[prroh]

I had no doubt. Where can we go to see a picture of the portrait?

As I posted at Park point on lookout Mtn

 

[tmh10]

As I posted at Park point on lookout Mtn

I thought maybe somewhere on the internet. I can't remember if you posted the image on your original thread. I don't believe I will be able to make that trip tonite.

 

[prroh]

Ah, not just a portrait, a complex 30-foot battle painting that took four years! That makes more sense.

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/civil_war_series/9/sec6.htm

Joe sure married well. $20,000 for a picture with him as the centerpiece was several years pay for a general officer.

 

[diane]

That's a good story! Did she live long enough to see the painting finished? I'd thought it was a portrait but now I see it's an action - she wanted her hubby all heroic!

 

[K Hale]

I could totally see that costing $20K. Incredibly intricate.