Gen . McClellen portrait.

I found this small hand painted portrait of Gen McClellen amoung some old military items. It has a note written on the cardboard backing. It looks to be hand painted with a very thick paint on glass.The frame seems quite old without that cardboard. It has a strong oder which I think is the paint. I would appreciate any thoughts from the forum members. Any ideas about the type of painting, age, or even possible value. This was amoung boxes I inherited fom an Uncle and part of his lg.collection of militari and guns. Thanks again to this really informative group.
L.

 

Wow! It looks to be poor work but this should be hot right now because of the 150th anniversary of the end of that war and the assassination anniversary as well, yesterday, and death, today, of President Lincoln.
Since you stated; "I would appreciate any thoughts from the forum members." Then I add that this clownfart should've been shot for treason and then incompetence. Lincoln should've dumped this e-jit 15 seconds after giving him control of any men at all. He caused the death of many Union troops.

 

King - My husband is third generation Bowdoin College. If you know anything about the Civil War, you know who Joshua Chamberlain is. He was a Union hero and came home to Brunswick, Maine and became President of Bowdoin. He instituted the first ROTC type program. When he was in the war, he realized that all the officers were recruited from college graduates who came from moneyed families, but had no military training. Chamberlain felt this was what caused the massive loss of life. The graduating class of 1865 rebelled against the military training and the whole class was dismissed, but reinstated after their parents received letters of admonishment. My husband's great-grandfather was in that class.

 

Ok , but now back to the painting?

 

Hi! Sorry for the diversion. I understand though I suggest you read of this guy in particular and you will see what I mean.

 

Hi,
I bet if you could look under the paint you would find a print which someone has painted over. George was a handsome lad and this guy looks like a cat with his tongue out. The frame is old wood and looks like it had too many coats of varnish. After a few years the original varnish had dulled and someone may have covered it with varnish made with raw linseed oil instead of boiled oil and thus it still smells to this day since it really never had time to dry right. JMHO
greg

 

It might be based on this portrait... the link is a print based on a photograph.

http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/bullrun/17mcclellan.htm

The photograph could probably be located if somebody has the time to look. I might have time later, but have to go soon...

 

"Handsome" Um...faint resemblance to Michael Redgrave in martial mode...

 

Hi,
I have a Harpers from the 1860s Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia it has one of him looking very dashing.
greg

 

Hi Silver,
here you go.
greg

 

!

 

What's with the hand tucked in the coat.......is he cold ?

 

Hi komokwa,
You being in French Canada do not know the Napoleon tuck? TSK TSK. It is the sign of being in power. Now if it was a painting, the sitter did not want to pay extra
for each hand so one was hidden to save on expenses.
greg

 

I thought it was a sign he had eczema on his chest and was just having a good scratch !!

 

"One bliss for which there is no match,
Is when you itch, to up and scratch."

Courtesy of my Grandmother.

 

I think I found a match. This is a tintype on this auction site. What do you think ? Sorry not a great shot but cant figure how to attach.
I added" Fort Grant" to my search. Which is on the back of the painting.

 

Looks like a reverse .

 

Hi wek,
If you check out bing images of Gen Geo mcClellan you will find many of the photos that might have been used to do your painting.
greg

 

Sorry about hijacking your thread to ramble on about other Civil War matters. We tend to do that here because school's out and we don't have no MODs to reel us in.

 

Ha!!!