As discussed last week, I recently discovered the fantastic works of Southern California artist George S. Stuart, a talented artist and historian who has spent much of his career sculpting important historic figures. His subjects cover everything from the American Civil War to the Russian monarchy (tsars), from Spanish Conquistadors to mythological heroes. Last week I highlighted the statuettes of the political leaders of 1775. This week, with the kind permission of his gallery, I highlight below each of the generals of the Revolutionary War in 1775 for which the artist has produced statuettes. Each of the following characters are important to, or featured prominently in, my forthcoming book, 1775.
In 1775, the main British general in charge was Thomas Gage, but unfortunately, no statuette has yet been sculpted of him. But artist George Stuart has sculpted two of Gage’s three major generals, all of whom arrived in May of 1775 and contributed in some fashion to the Battle of Bunker Hill. The first is Maj. Gen. John Burgoyne, who would later suffer a devastating defeat at Saratoga in upper New York, a battle that would turn the tide of the war in favor of the Americans. The second is Maj. Gen. Henry Clinton, who would later be given the dubious distinction of commander-in-chief of all British forces almost as the war was already lost for the British. Both generals appear as they might have appeared circa 1775.
John Burgoyne
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Henry Clinton
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After the Battle of Bunker Hill, Lt. Gen. George Washington arrived outside Boston and would command the remainder of the war effort until its completion. Here he appears as he might have in late 1777, while wintering at Valley Forge. His wife Martha Washington also spent her winter there.
George Washington in late 1777
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Martha Washington in late 1777
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Finally, one of America’s most notorious traitors, Benedict Arnold, was in 1775 soon to be one of America’s greatest war heroes. Featured prominently in my forthcoming book, Arnold spent the summer of 1775 at the head of an American effort to take the Lake Champlain region of New York. By the end of 1775, was leading one of the two prongs of the assault on the impenetrable fortress at Quebec City. Here he appears probably as he looked a few years after 1775.
Benedict Arnold
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For more of George Stuart’s fascinating art, visit his gallery’s website at http://www.galleryhistoricalfigures.com.
Peter d’Aprix photographed all the images here, while artist George Stuart was the sculptor of the statuettes featured in the images. The artist’s gallery kindly gave permission for their use. Learn more about the artist’s work.
