New from Mort Künstler!!!

The Autograph Seekers of Bel Air
For three bloody days in July of 1863, the Army of Northern Virginia battled the Army of the Potomac in the rocky hills and wheat fields of Adams County in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This engagement marked a significant turn in the Civil War; many historians refer to this as the high water mark of the Confederacy. After failing to gain the high ground on any front, the rebels suffered nearly 28,000 casualties, approximately one third of their entire army. On July 4th, the remainder of Lee’s ranks began an excruciating retreat back toward the Potomac River and Virginia.

Jackson's "Foot Cavalry"
None could outmarch them. Some believed none could outfight them. They were known as “Jackson’s Foot Cavalry” — so called for their ability to cover more than 30 miles a day – cavalry distance – on the march. Virginians all, they formed a division of troops under the command of General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 1862.

"My Friend, The Enemy"
We talked the matter over and could have settled the war in thirty minutes had it been left to us." So said a Southern solider after he and a Northern counterpart sat on a log between the lines and enjoyed an unauthorized but friendly chat. As Americans, Johnny Reb and Billy Yank had far more in common than typical combatants. That familiarity was frequently revealed in friendly contact between the lines.

"Are You Hurt, Sir?"
It appeared to be the victory the South was so desperately seeking. General Robert E. Lee and his triumphant Army of Northern Virginia had slipped away from their lines at Fredericksburg, Virginia and had skillfully made a forced march through the Shenandoah Valley, across the Potomac River and into Pennsylvania.

The Little Orchestra Society Presents A Children's Concert Celebrating Lincoln's 200th:>
Honest Abe: Four Scores and More

Legendary Actor James Earl Jones Guest Narrator,
Renowned Violinist and Composer Mark O'Connor,
Production Designer Elliott Forrest, and Students from Opus 118 Harlem School of Music

New York City (Monday, February 9, 2009) - On February 28th at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, Dino Anagnost and The Little Orchestra Society will present the year's most exciting children's concert in tribute to Abraham Lincoln and the music he inspired.

Human Decency During War

Nov. 8, 2008
By Michael Aubrecht. The Free Lance-Star.

Perhaps the most adverse consequence of any civil war is the division of a population that was once united. Citizens who are born and bred under the same flag, who share the same history and worship the same god, find themselves unable to resolve a political dispute. Debate turns to argument, and the two sides end up destroying each other in the name of their causes. This tragedy of "brother versus brother" was repeatedly played out on battlefields all across America from 1861 to 1865.

Yet when we examine the conflict today, we tend to focus completely on the differences between the Union and Confederate soldiers instead of their commonalities. It's far too easy for us to forget that they were all once part of the same sovereign nation.

Kunstler Unveils New Masterpiece

July 4, 2008
by David J. Criblez, Oyster Bay Guardian

Artist Mort Kunstler of Cove Neck is world-renowned for his Civil War paintings; however, his latest creation brings his historical focus closer to home. Labeled "Teddy's Fourth of July," the painting depicts President Theodore Roosevelt being driven in a car in the heart of Oyster Bay hamlet, on South Street at the intersection between East Main Street and Audrey Avenue, as the local residents cheer and wave on Independence Day. "I think it's one of the best paintings I've ever done. I'm so proud of it," said Kunstler. "It was very exciting for me to paint. I can't wait for everyone to see it."

Mort Künstler Painting Depicts TR in Oyster Bay

BY BILL BLEYER
bill.bleyer@newsday.com

June 29, 2008

Over a five-decade career, artist Mort Kuenstler has created more than 3,000 images and become the nation's best-selling painter of Civil War scenes. But none of the Cove Neck resident's works depicted a Long Island event.

The result is a new work by Künstler, "Teddy's Fourth of July," a scene of Oyster Bay's most famous resident, Theodore Roosevelt, downtown on the holiday in the early 20th century.

The painting, completed in time for this fall's 150th anniversary of the 26th president's birth, will be copied to make prints to be sold for $200 in September to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich and eventually the Theodore Roosevelt Association's effort to build a TR museum in the hamlet.