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Lot Essay
"General A. Jackson leading his troops to victory."
"The British flying in confusion."
"Genl Packingham mortaly wounded."
In words and poignant imagery, this watercolor is a rare, early depiction that tells the story of the Battle of New Orleans, the last significant engagement of the War of 1812. The battle was fought on January 8, 1815 and here, its creator has set the scene with the city of New Orleans, the Mississippi and "the cedar swamp" in the background. The protagonists and their diverging fates are powerfully conveyed: Andrew Jackson, the "hero of New Orleans," is standing tall, his arms, sword and legs forging forward to victory, while Major General Edward Pakenham, commander of the British forces, is shown diminished and slumped on the ground as he dies from wounds sustained during the battle. The use of a lettered key, indicating the geography and military divisions, indicates that the work was intended for instructional purposes.
At the same time, the abstraction of the landscape, buildings and figures makes this work a masterful example of American folk art. No doubt because of these qualities, it was acquired by the noted folk art collector, Stewart E. Gregory (1913-1976). Living in Wilton, Connecticut, Gregory worked closely with dealers Mary Allis and Adele Earnest to form one of the most renowned collections of American folk art. He served as vice president and trustee of the American Folk Art Museum, where his collection under the title An Eye on America was exhibited in 1972. The 1979 sale of his collection, which included the work offered here, has been described as watershed in the American folk art field.
"The British flying in confusion."
"Genl Packingham mortaly wounded."
In words and poignant imagery, this watercolor is a rare, early depiction that tells the story of the Battle of New Orleans, the last significant engagement of the War of 1812. The battle was fought on January 8, 1815 and here, its creator has set the scene with the city of New Orleans, the Mississippi and "the cedar swamp" in the background. The protagonists and their diverging fates are powerfully conveyed: Andrew Jackson, the "hero of New Orleans," is standing tall, his arms, sword and legs forging forward to victory, while Major General Edward Pakenham, commander of the British forces, is shown diminished and slumped on the ground as he dies from wounds sustained during the battle. The use of a lettered key, indicating the geography and military divisions, indicates that the work was intended for instructional purposes.
At the same time, the abstraction of the landscape, buildings and figures makes this work a masterful example of American folk art. No doubt because of these qualities, it was acquired by the noted folk art collector, Stewart E. Gregory (1913-1976). Living in Wilton, Connecticut, Gregory worked closely with dealers Mary Allis and Adele Earnest to form one of the most renowned collections of American folk art. He served as vice president and trustee of the American Folk Art Museum, where his collection under the title An Eye on America was exhibited in 1972. The 1979 sale of his collection, which included the work offered here, has been described as watershed in the American folk art field.