R. E. Lee on Horseback

Anthony de Francisci, R. E. Lee on Horseback, n.d., deep cut plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci, 1966.51.47
Copied Anthony de Francisci, R. E. Lee on Horseback, n.d., deep cut plaster, 7 1⁄2 in. (19.1 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci, 1966.51.47

Artwork Details

Title
R. E. Lee on Horseback
Artist
Date
n.d.
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
7 1⁄2 in. (19.1 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci
Mediums
Mediums Description
deep cut plaster
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Lee, Robert E.
Object Number
1966.51.47
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.51.47

Artwork Description

Anthony de Francisci’s plaster relief commemorates Civil War general Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) and was probably created as a design for a medal. The Confederate flags at the lower left and right recall Lee’s command of the Southern armies, whose bayonet points appear just beyond the hill in the background. In April 1865, Lee surrendered to Union general Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. After the war, Lee became president of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University, in Lexington, Virginia.