A cyclorama is a type of 360 degree oil on canvas painting popular in the late 19th century. Their popularity died out as motion pictures became available in the 20th century. Few cycloramas have survived to the present day.
They would depict various events such as fires, battles, and other events of note.
The Gettysburg Cyclorama is a restored painting by French artist Paul Philippoteaux depicting Pickett's Charge, a failed charge by the Confederate troops during the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg in the United States Civil War. This three day battle was fought July 1-3, 1863, so we are commemorating its 159th anniversary this year.
If that charge had succeeded, the Confederate State of America may well have eventually won their war against the United States. Historians and people who study the war debate this to the present day.
Today, I want to bring you some of this cyclorama This particular painting was not the original Battle of Gettysburg cyclorama, which was first displayed in Chicago in 1883. That painting took a year and a half to create. The artist interviewed various survivors of the battle and took sketches of the battlefield during a 1882 visit.
There were possibly four Gettysburg cycloramas produced under the direct supervision of this artist: Chicago (1883), Boston (the version now exhibited at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) Philadelphia (1886), Brooklyn (which became part of New York City in 1898) in 1886.
The version first displayed in Chicago may have been destroyed in a storm in Omaha, Nebraska in 1894. The Gettysburg National Park Service website states it still survives and is known as the "Wake Forest" version, in dire need of restoration, but I read elsewhere there is evidence of its destruction in Omaha, as mentioned earlier. Another cyclorama may have been cut up and used as tents for Native Americans.
The version I saw at the Gettysburg (battle) Visitors Center in March of this year was a second commission of Pickett's Charge, first displayed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1884. Between 2003 and 2008 the painting was restored, and it is, to put it mildly, awe-inspiring.
Let's go in. Yes, it's weird saying "inside a painting" but the painting surrounds you completely.
When you first go in, the lights are dimmed. Then, the show begins. Lights are raised to duplicate a sunrise, I'm guessing, and the battle is revealed. (You can download video and stills at this site but these are my pictures.)
The painting is 377 feet (114.9m) in circumference and 42 feet (12.8m) high.
What is missing are the sound effects of battle that are also piped in. Note that, in addition to the painting, there are real rocks and figures in front of it, which give it the three dimensional look.
These pictures do not begin to do the Cyclorama justice.
At a time when it seems our country is becoming more split apart, it is well to dwell on the aftermath of the Civil War. Gettysburg was an important, and terrible, part of this war.
We must never put ourselves through anything like this, ever again.
...I haven't been to Gettysburg in years.
ReplyDeleteCycloramas are an interesting way of presenting history. I've always enjoyed the ones I've seen in the past.
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I think it might make me a bit dizzy trying to see all of it.
ReplyDeleteWe really aren't learning much from our own history, it seems.
I do indeed feel such a sadness for your country and for Ukraine. History is repeating itself and it seems no one can stop it.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of this. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Interesting. Before motion pictures, there had to be ways to describe things like this, so this makes perfect sense. I'd love to see one in real life someday.
ReplyDeleteThere's a Cyclorama here in Atlanta as well. It depicts the Battle of Atlanta, and they've set it up so that all the landmarks (primarily Kennesaw Mountain and Stone Mountain) on the picture are in their locations from the Cyclorama building. It's really fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThe only cyclorama I even saw was the one in Stone Mountain. Had no idea there was another confederate rendition in Gettysburg.
ReplyDeleteIt's been decades since I went to Gettysburg - photos are fabulous!
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