Description
Dale Gallon (American, Unknown)
In Dale Gallon’s evocative painting Word From Antietam, history doesn’t sit still—it gallops. With wind in the horse’s mane and the urgency of war etched on the rider’s face, this powerful piece captures a fleeting, yet pivotal, moment from the American Civil War. It’s a work that pulses with tension, motion, and the weight of news too important to delay.
The scene is set in the golden hues of a late afternoon, somewhere in rural Maryland. A mounted Union courier rides hard across a field of amber grass, the horizon behind him glowing with the fading warmth of the day. In the background, a sturdy stone farmhouse anchors the composition—timeless and still—as the rider rushes past. There’s a sense of contrast here: the domestic calm of the home and the storm of battle carried on horseback. One look at the rider tells you everything. This is no casual errand. He brings a message from Antietam—the bloodiest single-day battle in American history.
Dale Gallon, one of the preeminent military artists of our time, is known for his devotion to accuracy and his ability to bring emotion to historical moments. His attention to detail is striking—the Union uniform is rendered with care, the saddle and gear precise, the rider’s posture taut with purpose. The leaves on the trees whisper of autumn, yet the warmth of the palette keeps the piece inviting despite its wartime subject.
But this painting does more than depict a military dispatch. It invites you into a story. Who is receiving this word? What news does the rider bear? Is it of victory, of loss, of hope? Gallon masterfully leaves these questions open, inviting the viewer to imagine the next moment and the stories beyond the frame.
Word From Antietam is more than a print—it’s a window into the urgency and humanity of war. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a Civil War collector, or simply someone moved by evocative storytelling through art, this piece commands attention. Limited to just 500 signed editions, it’s not only a compelling addition to any collection—it’s a rare one. Bring home a piece of the past, captured at full gallop. Word From Antietam isn’t just artwork—it’s a message that still rides strong.
