Hold at All Cost by Mort Kunstler

Gen. J. Buford, Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 Mort Künstler’s CommentsIn the painting, General John Buford and his staff have taken positions behind the dismounted cavalrymen on McPherson's Ridge, behind a small stone wall and some rail fencing. The firing has just begun at long range, as evidenced by the raised rear sights of the troopers' Sharps carbines. In portraying Buford's men, I wanted to show a defensive line in a long, narrow composition that would accommodate many cavalrymen.With his men in a strong defensive position and the Confederate attack underway, Buford has done his job. He wears a sack coat with a black velvet collar, which enabled me to add some authentic and human touches, such as the watch chain and pipe.I faced a challenge in showing several cavalrymen up close. The problem is that all the troopers are dressed more or less alike and use the same weapons, which tends to make the picture boring. To address this problem, I emphasized the differences in their face