Description
Born in Drygrange, Roxburghshire, Scotland, James Hope moved to Canada after his mother died, and to Vermont after his father passed away. While apprenticing to a wheelwright he took art classes. Recovering from an injury in the 1840s gave him time to focus on drawing and painting, paving his path to become a full-time artist and teacher. He started as a portrait artist, but influenced by artist Asher Durand, he later focused on landscapes. In 1861 he organized 60 volunteers for the Company B 2nd Vermont Regiment to fight in the Civil War. While serving as captain, he made drawings, recording major battles and military life that were later used in his large murals of the Antietam Battlefield.
Hope Paintings
In 1888 and 1889, after attending two reunions of veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic, Hope returned to the Antietam Battlefield. Making new sketches and using the ones he finished during the war, he began to work on a series of five paintings. Completed in time for the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam held in Washington, DC, in September 1892, these murals were put on display and viewed by fellow veterans. The five painting suffered a great deal of damage over the years, were purchased in 1979 by the National Park Service and meticulously restored.
This James Hope mug is part of our Civil War series profiling participants in the War Between the States. Thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers fought in battles such as Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. We honor their sacrifices by telling their stories.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
