I've been pulling some things out that I've been sitting on a while, this watercolor of Civil War Union Army General Sol Meredith among them. Though unsigned, I know it is by Wayne Blouch, one of a good number of drawings of his I purchased together, and many of which were featured in a collaborative "viewing room" project I did a few years ago with Ricco Maresca Gallery. This and a portrait of Ben Franklin I am also listing today were odd ones out so to speak, of a slightly different nature than the others, which were more graphic ink and graphite drawings, mostly done on old ledger paper.
Meredith (1810–1875) was an Indiana farmer, politician, and lawman who became a Union Army General general in the Civil War, leading the brigade in the Battle of Gettysburg. Quite an interesting life he lead, and seems quite a spirit of independence captured in this watercolor, which I love especially for the rich blue, and his boots, and the fact that he seems to be firing a bullet from his pointer finger!
Wayne B. Blouch was born in Bunker Hill, Lebanon County, and went on to teach social science in Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, until his death at the age of 55. A few of the drawings in the group this came from were signed and dated 1910.
7 1/4 x 5 1/4 and in good condition, graphite and watercolor on lined paper. C. 1910.
