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This detailed chromolithograph of the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, on June 27, 1864, captures a pivotal moment during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. Based on a dramatic painting by Thure de Thulstrup, the print illustrates the last general engagement between Union forces under Major General William T. Sherman and Confederate forces led by General Joseph E. Johnston before the decisive battles around Atlanta. The scene reflects the intensity and chaos of battle, with soldiers, artillery, and officers vividly portrayed amidst the natural environment of the Southern battlefield.
Produced by Louis Prang, a master of 19th-century chromolithography, this print exemplifies the high technical artistry of the medium. Known as the "father of the American Christmas card," Prang pioneered the use of rich color palettes in lithographic printing. This work, part of his renowned Civil War series, employs over 300 shades and colors to render the scene with remarkable vibrancy and precision. The detail in the soldiers’ uniforms, regimental flags, and surrounding landscape conveys a striking realism, while the smoke and fire of the battle bring the chaotic energy of the engagement to life.
The composition captures the Union forces advancing under fire, their formations undeterred despite the heavy Confederate defenses on the slopes of Kennesaw Mountain. The foreground highlights Union artillery teams at work, firing toward the entrenched Confederate positions. Officers on horseback, directing their men amidst the chaos, evoke a sense of leadership and determination. Meanwhile, the smoke-filled background illustrates the mountain's steep incline, shrouded in gunfire and cannon bursts, emphasizing the difficulty of the Union assault.
Prang’s Civil War series of 18 chromolithographs, including this depiction of the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain, sought to commemorate key moments of the conflict and offer a visual narrative for a war-torn nation.
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