Peter Frederick Rothermel was an American painter from Pennsylvania. His painting of Pickett’s Charge, titled “Battle of Gettysburg,” hangs in the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. It was commissioned by the State of Pennsylvania in 1866 at the urging of Pennsylvania Gov. Andrew Curtin. Rothermel was reportedly paid $25,000 for the painting.This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

The oil painting was completed in 1870 and was had its public unveiling in Philadelphia on December 20, 1870. It is 16 feet high and 32 feet wide. The Public Ledger, a Philadelphia newspaper, was shown the painting before the opening: “In conception and execution it well deserves the praise it has largely received from competent art critics, at perhaps being the best as well as the largest war picture on this side of the Atlantic.”This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

The State Museum provides a key that shows 13 items in the painting that might be of interest to the viewer.This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

The original exhibit brochure identified 78 items of interest, though the only copy we could find is hard to read.This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

General George Meade (left), his son, Captain George Meade (holding his cap), and Lieutenant Frank Haskell, “shown here informing General Meade that the attack is being repulsed.” Meade was present at the painting’s 1870 unveiling and addressed the crowd, saying “I take this occasion to bear my testimony to the correctness and fidelity with which this picture has been painted, and to the great labors of the artist, Mr. Rothermel.” This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

Though Meade appreciated the accuracy of the painting, he went on to tell the crowd that he would not have appeared in this location until after the charge was repulsed. The painting’s central figure (white shirt) is “Private Sills,” a fictional soldier critics said was meant to represent the “valor of the rank and file of the Union Army.”This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

General Lewis Armistead, his sword through his hat, falls.This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

The state’s opening night for the painting required some star power. “General William T. Sherman, commander of the United States Army, and his staff arrayed in full uniform made their appearance at the right moment to receive the ‘hearty applause’ of the audience.”* The audience shouted for Sherman to speak. He protested, but eventually addressed the crowd. Sherman praised the state for the painting, but reminded the audience that he wasn’t at the Battle of Gettysburg, having been “at that time far away at Vicksburg.”*Quote from Rothermel’s Paintings by Edwin B. Coddington. This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

“[Rothermel] visited the battlefield on multiple occasions to make sketches and diagrams, spent hours poring over maps and official reports, and corresponded with dozens of battlefield veterans regarding virtually every aspect of the battle, from troop movements to clothing worn.”This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

The painting was notable for how many common soldiers it depicted. “Gettysburg was emphatically a soldiers’ battle,” The Philadelphia Evening Telegraph noted approvingly, ‘and while all honor and credit are due to the officers who aided in winning the victory, Mr. Rothermel’s picture more truly represents the true character of the battle.'”This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.

An engraving of the painting was made by John Sartain. A print was then made from the engraving.This print was made in 1872 [LOC].

Look, a stone wall.This view was taken at approximately 12:00 PM on March 26, 2016.