Chris Calle (American, B. 1961) "Robert E. Lee" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the U.S. 32c Robert E. Lee stamp issued June 29, 1995.

Handsome and intelligent, a moralist who never drank, smoke or cursed, Robert E. Lee believed duty to be the noblest word in the English language. During the Mexican War, General Winfield Scott called the brave young Virginian the "greatest military genius in America." Unlike many Southerners, Lee was opposed to slavery and secession, and had freed the few slaves he inherited long before the Civil War began. But he admired George Washington and believed his state was protecting the liberty, freedom and legal principles that Washington had fought for. On May 31, 1862, General Joseph E. Johnston, commander of Confederate forces in Virginia, was wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks. The following day, Lee took command, calling his troops the Army of Northern Virginia. Although seriously outnumbered, Lee won impressive victories at the second Battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Taking the offensive at Gettysburg, Lee's forces met defeat in a three-day battle that proved to be the turning point of the war. In the spring of 1864, facing Ulysses S. Grant for the first time, Lee's outmanned and outgunned troops were cut to pieces in the Wilderness campaign. Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865. He chose to spend his last years as president of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia. Following his death on October 12, 1870, the school was renamed Washington and Lee University.

Image Size: 15.75 x 16 in.
Overall Size: 23.25 x 18.5 in.
Unframed. (B15014 / B15057)

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23.25 x 18.5 in