The First Day of Peace by Stanley Arthurs
While researching earlier this month at the Delaware Public Archives, I had the opportunity to admire a mural-sized painting by artist Stanley Arthurs (1877-1950) that depicted Lee and Grant at Appomattox. Titled The First Day of Peace (1922), it was one of three mural-sized paintings Arthurs produced on historical subjects that now hang on display in the Archive’s research room. The others were The Modern Crusaders, depicting a WWI scene, and Troops Leaving Dover Green, depicting Col. John Haslet’s troops marching out of town during the Revolution.
I thought I’d share an image of the painting because it was unknown to me and, I suspect, unknown to many of ECW’s readers. Below, I’ll also include the text of the placard the Archives has on display that provides info about Arthurs’s painting.
Beautiful painting. I suppose the background tree is meant to represent the apple tree that was later destroyed for souvenirs by soldiers who believed the actual surrender took place there and then.
What a great find … thanks!