"Defenders of the Valley" John Paul Strain Civil War Exec Canvas Giclee

His work met immediate success and was showcased at a premiere gallery in the Rocky Mountains. Acclaimed for his paintings of the Old West, he eventually moved to Texas to work full time in the field of historical art. His early art, prints and posters depicting Civil War subjects produced the same enthusiastic response as his Western Art, and in the 1980s John Paul Strain began to concentrate on the Civil War. Few artists in the field have gained such widespread popularity so quickly.

His art, prints and posters are now acclaimed among collectors, who prize his studies of Lee, Jackson, Forrest and other Civil War leaders, as well as his scenes of conflict and pageantry. His distinctive artistic style, which combines bright colors and contrasting shadows, and his devotion to historic authenticity have dramatically increased his popularity. Today, his original art is displayed throughout America and among collectors of fine art limited-edition Civil War prints. Artist John Paul Strain has become an American favorite.

"Defenders of the Valley" John Paul Strain S/N Executive Canvas Giclee

General Thomas J. Jackson, Colonel Turner Ashby, & Captain Jedediah Hotchkiss

Shenandoah County Courthouse - Woodstock, VA - March 1862

"I have only to say that if this valley is lost Virginia is lost". These were the words of General Stonewall Jackson who was given the task of defending the Shenandoah Valley against two Federal armies, both of which greatly outnumbered his own force of 5000 men. Realizing that the northern part of the valley would be difficult if not impossible to defend, General Jackson reluctantly withdrew from Winchester and moved his army to the more strategic towns further up the valley. Federal General Nathaniel Banks then marched into the lower valley with his army of 38,000 men.

General Joseph E. Johnston had given Jackson orders to keep the Federal armies busy and to prevent reinforcement of General McClellan's peninsula campaign to capture Richmond. Jackson was also given council not to expose his forces to the danger of a defeat. But General Jackson had bolder plans. He would aggressively go on the offensive, attack and defeat the Federal invaders.

As General Jackson and his cavalry chief Turner Ashby rode past the historic Shenandoah Court house through the town of Woodstock, no one knew what the future would bring. But one thing Jackson did know, it was he who would decide the fate of the valley, not General Banks.

32" by 36-1/2" Signed and Numbered Executive Canvas Giclee, limited to 10 - $1200

Also available as:

26" by 40" Signed and Numbered Executive Canvas Giclee Artist Proofs, limited to 2 - SOLD OUT

19" by 29" image size, Signed and Numbered print, limited to 450 - SOLD OUT

19" by 29" image size, Signed and Numbered Artist Proof Print, limited to 100 - SOLD OUT

16-1/2" by 24-1/4" Signed and Numbered Studio Canvas Giclee, limited to 65 - SOLD OUT

16-1/2" by 24-1/4" Signed and Numbered Studio Canvas Giclee Artist Proofs, limited to 5 - SOLD OUT

22-1/4" by 33-1/2" Signed and Numbered Classic Canvas Giclee, limited to 60 - SOLD OUT

22-1/4" by 33-1/2" Signed and Numbered Studio Canvas Giclee Artist Proofs, limited to 15 - SOLD OUT

All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered (S/N) by the artist and include a Certificate of Authenticity. Limited Edition prints are restricted to a certain number. For example, if 400 prints are made from an original painting, once they’re gone, that’s it. There is no limit to the number of open edition prints of a particular painting. That’s why Limited Edition prints are more expensive — and more valuable to collectors — than "open" edition. Rare objects are more valuable.

An Artist’s Proof (AP), generally, is the first 10% of the Limited Edition prints that come off the press. If the Limited Edition is 400 s/n, there would be 40 APs. This status is noted on the print. Collectors prefer APs because their value increases even more than a Limited Edition as time goes by.

A remarque is a pencil drawing done in the white border area of an art print. The subject of the remarque is usually determined by the artist. Each remarque is a piece of original art which adds to the value of the print by making that particular print unique and exclusive from the rest of the prints in the edition.

All Limited Edition artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain currrent as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.