A Painting Admired by President Lincoln
Carte de visite by Edward Anthony of New York City. Artist William Moore Davis painted this trompe l'oeil titled "Done Gone" in March 1862. This is the second anti-Confederate themed painting copyrighted by Davis and mass-produced by photographer Edward Anthony. The first, "The Neglected Picture," featured an engraving of Jefferson Davis in a frame with shattered glass. It was also painted in the trompe l'oeil style.
"Done Gone" is filled with symbols representing the death of secessionist movement:
— A tattered Confederate national flag wrapped around a tombstone embossed "Hic Jacet Secesh" (Here lies secession).
— Deck of cards, with an Ace of Spades, a racist reference to African Americans, trumping a card with "cotton" inscribed upon it.
— A bayonet used as a candle holder; the wax is dropping and the wick has just become extinct.
— Hunting knife with broken blade tip.
— Wicker cask of Old Rye whiskey.
— Planter's straw hat with "Act of Secession" document thrust into hole in crown.
— Corn cob.
— Cigar stub.
— A note with a biblical reference to the woman who became Samson's undoing: “Dear Alex Don’t forget to kill one Yankee for your affectionate Delilah.”
Song sheet for "The Pretty Milkmaid," an 18th century British song with bawdy connotations.
— An old boot with broken stitches between the sole and leather upper.
— Paper currency from the "Bank of Indolence."
According to an anecdote in Robert B. Beath's 1889 History of the Grand Army of the Republic, this painting was presented to President Abraham Lincoln. Beath prefaces the anecdote by noting the G.A.R.'s General Orders No 6, dated Nov. 4, 1869, which states: "It is earnestly recommended that every Post of our organization should at once adopt and enter into the plan submitted by comrade [Albert D.] Shaw for collecting 'personal reminiscences of the war.'"
This narrative can be found on page 104. It references Norman Wiard, an inventor who developed several cannon, and the third Commander-in-Chief of the G.A.R., Maj. Gen. John A. Logan.
The Encampment received from Mr. Norman Wiard a fine satirical painting in oil, by W.H. Davis of Port Jefferson, Long Island, entitled "Done Gone Secesh." It was suggested that it should be copied and sold to raise funds for relief purposes.
In presenting this picture to General Logan, for the Grand Army of the Republic, Mr. Wiard said:
Soon after I received it from the artist, W.H. Davis of Port Jefferson, L.I., I brought it to Washington to exhibit it to Mr. Lincoln, thinking its grim humor might enliven his careworn spirit if it was presented at the appropriate time, and I had the satisfaction to notice that the great man took great interest in it. He saw speaking points in it not before discovered, and took new hope from it, saying it was prophetic. In 1864 the war had not ended, and the President seemed so much to enjoy it, that I soon took occasion, in the presence of a mutual friend, to ask him to accept it as a present for the decoration of his private office, after he had ceased to be President. He said "No;" and added, "let me keep it here a while—it seems like a friend; and after the war is over, and secession is buried indeed, give it to some soldier who, in your opinion, has done most to put down the rebellion."
At the first ending of the war l saw no difficulty whatever in deciding which particular soldier should have the picture. I only waited for a favorable opportunity to present it. I "hesitated and was lost;" and from that time to the present I have become more and more undecided as to the soldier, until it has lately occurred to me to present it to the Grand Army of the Republic as a body, as the appropriate and proper thing to do. Their soldierly qualities are undoubted; their patriotism, skill, and bravery overcame and buried secession.
I desire you, sir, to accept "Done Gone" on behalf of the organization which you command, and should be gratified to learn that it is to be preserved at "Headquarters" as long as the organization continues.
I further desire to suggest that the picture might be duplicated by photography or chromo-lithography, and copies presented by subscription from outside friends to each Post under your command. If properly managed, this plan might be made the means of raising a fund for the benefit of the widows and orphans of those soldiers who do not belong to your command, but who would have been in your ranks if they had lived. If I could promote such an enterprise by any personal exertion, I shall be most happy to do so.
The thanks of the Encampment were cordially tendered to Mr. Wiard and a committee, consisting of Comrades N.P. Chipman, S.A. Duncan and Chris. C. Cox, was appointed to consider whether some plan could be devised to use the painting in aid of the charity fund of the Order.
The whereabouts of the painting today are unknown.
I encourage you to use this image for educational purposes only. However, please ask for permission.
A Painting Admired by President Lincoln
Carte de visite by Edward Anthony of New York City. Artist William Moore Davis painted this trompe l'oeil titled "Done Gone" in March 1862. This is the second anti-Confederate themed painting copyrighted by Davis and mass-produced by photographer Edward Anthony. The first, "The Neglected Picture," featured an engraving of Jefferson Davis in a frame with shattered glass. It was also painted in the trompe l'oeil style.
"Done Gone" is filled with symbols representing the death of secessionist movement:
— A tattered Confederate national flag wrapped around a tombstone embossed "Hic Jacet Secesh" (Here lies secession).
— Deck of cards, with an Ace of Spades, a racist reference to African Americans, trumping a card with "cotton" inscribed upon it.
— A bayonet used as a candle holder; the wax is dropping and the wick has just become extinct.
— Hunting knife with broken blade tip.
— Wicker cask of Old Rye whiskey.
— Planter's straw hat with "Act of Secession" document thrust into hole in crown.
— Corn cob.
— Cigar stub.
— A note with a biblical reference to the woman who became Samson's undoing: “Dear Alex Don’t forget to kill one Yankee for your affectionate Delilah.”
Song sheet for "The Pretty Milkmaid," an 18th century British song with bawdy connotations.
— An old boot with broken stitches between the sole and leather upper.
— Paper currency from the "Bank of Indolence."
According to an anecdote in Robert B. Beath's 1889 History of the Grand Army of the Republic, this painting was presented to President Abraham Lincoln. Beath prefaces the anecdote by noting the G.A.R.'s General Orders No 6, dated Nov. 4, 1869, which states: "It is earnestly recommended that every Post of our organization should at once adopt and enter into the plan submitted by comrade [Albert D.] Shaw for collecting 'personal reminiscences of the war.'"
This narrative can be found on page 104. It references Norman Wiard, an inventor who developed several cannon, and the third Commander-in-Chief of the G.A.R., Maj. Gen. John A. Logan.
The Encampment received from Mr. Norman Wiard a fine satirical painting in oil, by W.H. Davis of Port Jefferson, Long Island, entitled "Done Gone Secesh." It was suggested that it should be copied and sold to raise funds for relief purposes.
In presenting this picture to General Logan, for the Grand Army of the Republic, Mr. Wiard said:
Soon after I received it from the artist, W.H. Davis of Port Jefferson, L.I., I brought it to Washington to exhibit it to Mr. Lincoln, thinking its grim humor might enliven his careworn spirit if it was presented at the appropriate time, and I had the satisfaction to notice that the great man took great interest in it. He saw speaking points in it not before discovered, and took new hope from it, saying it was prophetic. In 1864 the war had not ended, and the President seemed so much to enjoy it, that I soon took occasion, in the presence of a mutual friend, to ask him to accept it as a present for the decoration of his private office, after he had ceased to be President. He said "No;" and added, "let me keep it here a while—it seems like a friend; and after the war is over, and secession is buried indeed, give it to some soldier who, in your opinion, has done most to put down the rebellion."
At the first ending of the war l saw no difficulty whatever in deciding which particular soldier should have the picture. I only waited for a favorable opportunity to present it. I "hesitated and was lost;" and from that time to the present I have become more and more undecided as to the soldier, until it has lately occurred to me to present it to the Grand Army of the Republic as a body, as the appropriate and proper thing to do. Their soldierly qualities are undoubted; their patriotism, skill, and bravery overcame and buried secession.
I desire you, sir, to accept "Done Gone" on behalf of the organization which you command, and should be gratified to learn that it is to be preserved at "Headquarters" as long as the organization continues.
I further desire to suggest that the picture might be duplicated by photography or chromo-lithography, and copies presented by subscription from outside friends to each Post under your command. If properly managed, this plan might be made the means of raising a fund for the benefit of the widows and orphans of those soldiers who do not belong to your command, but who would have been in your ranks if they had lived. If I could promote such an enterprise by any personal exertion, I shall be most happy to do so.
The thanks of the Encampment were cordially tendered to Mr. Wiard and a committee, consisting of Comrades N.P. Chipman, S.A. Duncan and Chris. C. Cox, was appointed to consider whether some plan could be devised to use the painting in aid of the charity fund of the Order.
The whereabouts of the painting today are unknown.
I encourage you to use this image for educational purposes only. However, please ask for permission.