John Paul Strain Hand Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Canvas Giclee:"The Northern Lights"
Previous Item
66 of 83
Next Item
View All John Paul Strain

John Paul Strain Hand Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Canvas Giclee:"The Northern Lights"

Item# TX-333
$525.00
Free Shipping
Ask about this item    Print Friendly

Gallery Direct Art Artist
Artist: John Paul Strain
Title: The Northern Lights (Fredericksburg, Va. - December 14, 1862)
Image Size: 24" x 32.5 and 29.5" x 40"
Edition: Signed and Numbered Giclee - edition of 185 Canvas editions.
Medium: Giclee on Canvas
About the Art: General Robert E. Lee had a reason for hope at the end of 1862. The Battle of Fredericksburg had given the Confederacy a greatly needed victory. On December 13th, General Ambrose Burnside had thrown repeated attacks against Lee's impenetrable line on Mayre's Heights. In ponderous, deliberate waves, the Union troops had charged across a plain and into Southern shot and shell. Casualties were so heavy that the dead lay in heaps in front of the stone wall at the base of the heights. Burnside's troops had limited success against Stonewall Jackson's Corps, but were quickly repulsed. Clear days and freezing nights followed, and the field echoed with the pitiful cries of the wounded stranded between the lines. By nightfall on December 14, General Burnside had decided to withdraw his army from the plain and back to Fredericksburg.

It was an evening few on either side would soon forget. As Lee's soldiers worked on improving their defenses, Union troops slowly carried the wounded and dying from the field. At nightfall, the toil of both armies was suddenly illuminated by a celestial phenomenon - the Northern Lights - which cast the Virginia countryside in an unearthly glow. Few men from the deep South had ever seen the Northern Lights, and most stared in wonderment. Was this fantastic display a sign of Confederate triumph?

General Lee and his staff rode along Telegraph Road past Howison's Mill, where his reserves had gathered before going to Marye's Heights. The frigid water of Hazel Run cooled the riders while Lee, deep in thought, focused on tomorrow. The night's chill and splendid display did not distract Lee form his preparation for another day of battle.

Artist's Comments:

"I wanted to capture that incredible moment in time when the Northern Lights left its memory forever in the soldiers who fought at Fredericksburg. While doing the research for the painting, I found that the location of Hazel Run has changed over the years. The small stream now flows more closely to Mayre's Heights. With the help of historian Noel Harrison, the location of the Howison Mill site was determined. I'm excited to be able to bring this part of American history to life." -J.P.S.


Description: All Prints are sale priced every day! Professionally Frame any print from our dealer gallery starting at an additional $199 and receive free shipping!
Click here to view the framing options.

Availability: Print only orders usually ship in 3-9 days. "Custom Framed" products are made to order by craftsman, so additional time is required. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

4.9
Out of 5.0
A graph showing this site's review totals.
Overall Rating
99%
of customers that buy
from this merchant give
them a 4 or 5-Star rating.
Verified Buyer
June 2, 2025 by Michael E. (United States)
“Fast and easy”
Verified Buyer
May 31, 2025 by Leah S. (TX, United States)
“Love the picture”
Verified Buyer
May 16, 2025 by Wayne W. (United States)
“Easy ordering”
Verified Buyer
May 14, 2025 by Brian R. (United States)
“quick and easy process. Nice selection of art.”
Verified Buyer
May 1, 2025 by CAROLE P. (United States)
“QUICK & EASY”
Verified Buyer
April 29, 2025 by Robert B. (United States)
“I bought this print a few years ago and decided we wanted one in our second home.”
Verified Buyer
March 28, 2025 by Julie S. (United States)
“Very easy”
Verified Buyer
March 15, 2025 by Dana D. (IA, United States)
“It has been fun and very easy.”
Verified Buyer
March 13, 2025 by MARK W. (United States)
“PLEASE SHIP ASAP”
Verified Buyer
March 13, 2025 by Dianne F. (United States)
“Very convenient.”

Scroll to top