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Life Studies of the Great Army (etchings) by Edwin Forbes
This folio contains 40 copper plate etchings illustrating Army life during the Civil War, which Forbes composed as an artist-reporter for "Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper." These etchings are derived from his original pencil sketches made while he followed the Army of the Potomac...
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| Collection: | Life Studies of the Great Army (etchings) By Edwin Forbes |
| Collection Number: | Bd.525.F.692 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
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| Physical Description: |
0.3 Linear feet 0.3 linear feet, 1 box |
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| Summary: |
This folio contains 40 copper plate etchings illustrating Army life during the Civil War, which Forbes composed as an artist-reporter for "Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper." These etchings are derived from his original pencil sketches made while he followed the Army of the Potomac, which were compiled into a folio and published in 1876. The views offered in these prints cover a wide range of themes, including battle scenes, troop movements, soldiers taking breaks, meal preparation, camp life, and sweeping landscape views. The prints are individually titled, with sometimes-sarcastic commentary. The first proof of this folio was purchased by General William T. Sherman, and was donated to the United States government. Forbes won a medal at the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876 for this work.
Forbes was born in New York City and studied art with Arthur Tait. Forbes worked as an artist-field reporter for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper from 1861 to 1864. He covered major battles at Manassas, Petersburg, and Gettysburg. After the war, Forbes opened a studio in Brooklyn, and published "Thirty Years After: An Artist's Story of the Great War" in 1890. |