Gilbert Gaul (American, 1855-1919 ) oil on canvas battlefield painting depicting a group of soldiers on a scouting mission, some standing in conversation, one with binoculars and others crouching, with a horse right foreground. Unframed and unsigned. 12 1/8" H x 16 1/8" W. Early 20th century. Note: included are copies of two letters by John Reeves and David Saltzman, stating that this work was painted by Gilbert Gaul. See two related works from the same series and consignor, sold in our July, 2021 auction, lot 777. Biography: New Jersey born artist Gilbert Gaul studied art with Lemuel E. Wilmarth at the school of the National Academy of Design from 1872 to 1876, and privately with the noted genre painter, J. G. Brown. He continued his training at the Art Students League during 1875 and 1876. Gaul first exhibited his work at the National Academy in 1877. In 1881, he inherited a farm in Van Buren County, Tennessee, from his mother's family, and lived there four years to fulfill terms of the bequest. In 1885, he returned to New York though he also continued to spend time at the farm in Tennessee. Gaul gained acclaim for his illustration art and portrayals of Civil War scenes. He became a regular exhibitor at the National Academy annuals between 1877 and 1902; in 1882, he was accorded the status of full academician-the youngest artist to attain the honor. He exhibited at the 1889 Paris Exposition; the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago; and the 1902 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, where he was awarded medals. In 1876 Gaul made his first trip to the American West, an area for which he developed a particular affinity. He made numerous western trips in subsequent years, photographing and rendering scenes of Native Americans and the frontier, which he would later work up into paintings in his studios in New York or Tennessee. In 1890, he worked for the United States census on reservations in North Dakota. He also visited Mexico, the West Indies, Panama, and Nicaragua. An account of his travels was published in Century Magazine in 1892. In 1904, he returned to Tennessee and settled in Nashville. The decreasing interest in Civil War subjects resulted in financial hardship for Gaul. He gave private art lessons and taught at the Watkins Institute, Nashville, and at Cumberland Female College, in McMinnville. He also spent time in Charleston, South Carolina. When the First World War began, he did illustration work including posters to encourage support for the war effort. By the end of the War, he had returned to New Jersey, where he died in 1919. (Source: The Johnson Collection; Askart).

Overall good condition with some slight areas of craquelure and light grime. Unframed.