"Union Soldier" by Alexander Pope Jr. 
Pen and ink on paper
Circa 1861–1865
5 × 7 in., mounted and framed to 9 1/2 × 12 in.

This pen-and-ink sketch of a Union soldier is a rare, early work by Alexander Pope Jr. Only thirteen at the outbreak of the Civil War, Pope here offers a glimpse of his youthful, untrained hand, and future artistic potential. 

A native of Massachusetts, Pope displayed an early gift for drawing and in the 1860s studied with William Rimmer (1816–1879), an influential Boston artist and teacher. By the 1880s, Pope had established himself as a respected painter and sculptor of sporting scenes and still lifes. His reputation spread widely, two of his carvings were acquired by Tsar Alexander III in 1883.

Today, Pope’s work is represented in major collections, including the Brooklyn Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and the White House. While his paintings appear occasionally at auction, sketches from his formative years remain scarce and highly desirable.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera]