Robertson and Künstler limited edition set

Virginia Tech limited edition

A few copies are still available of a limited edition collaborative work by Civil War historian and author James I. Robertson Jr. and Civil War artist Mort Künstler. Proceeds from selling the work, a special Virginia Tech limited edition of the book Gods and Generals and a limited-edition giclée print of Künstler's new Stonewall Jackson painting "Divine Guidance," support programs of Virginia Tech's Virginia Center for Civil War Studies. A giclée is a digitally reproduced copy of a painting that is almost impossible to distinguish from the original. The book, the companion piece to the movie of the same name, was written by Robertson and illustrated by Künstler. Robertson served as historical consultant for the movie, while Künstler was its official artist. The book was commissioned by Warner Brothers, which produced the movie.

Robertson, Alumni Distinguished Professor of History at Virginia Tech and executive director of the university's Civil War center, and Künstler, a popular New York artist whose work has been commissioned by the U. S. Postal Service, have worked together on several books and calendars. The Virginia Tech edition of the Gods and Generals book, which is limited to 150 copies, is leather-bound and gilt-edged and bears the university seal. Each copy is accompanied by the giclée of Jackson. The cost of the numbered books and giclées is $450, plus $15 for shipping and handling.

Künstler's "Divine Guidance"

To obtain a copy of the book and giclée, send your name, address, telephone number, and a check for $465 to Virginia Center for Civil War Studies, 431 Major Williams Hall (0117), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. The check should be made payable to the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies.

The Winds of Winter: Jackson's Romney Campaign January 1862

Internationally acclaimed historical artist Mort Künstler visited campus on Nov. 11, 2000, to sign a special Virginia Tech limited edition print of his then-latest painting "The Winds of Winter: Jackson's Romney Campaign January 1862."

Proceeds from the sale of the prints went to the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies, which hosted the event. All of the Virginia Tech limited edition prints were sold.

"Mort Künstler ranks in an unchallenged class by himself in the field of Civil War art. His presence on the campus does honor to the university. His contributions to the center will never be forgotten," said James I. Robertson Jr. Robertson has collaborated with Künstler on two books, The Confederate Spirit and Jackson & Lee: Legends in Gray.

Initially, the New York artist's paintings focused mainly on Western subject matter, and he began attracting the attention of serious art collectors in the early 1970s. A 1982 commission from CBS to do a painting for the network's "The Blue and the Gray" mini-series directed his attention to the Civil War.

Künstler developed a reputation for historically accurate work, which he attributes to early training gained through assignments for National Geographic Magazine. His painting "The High Water Mark," unveiled at the Gettysburg National Military Park in 1988 on the 125th anniversary of the Civil War battle, is considered the most accurate painting ever done of the event. In 1992, the U. S. Postal Service commissioned him to do a painting of the Buffalo Soldiers and issued a stamp of the painting two years later.