George Armstrong Custer: Exceptional Painting....

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George Armstrong Custer: Exceptional Painting. This 20" x 30" oil on canvas depicts "Gen'l. George A. Custer" and is signed by the artist, "A. A. Frain Artist." The work shows the dynamic and popular general with one hand inside his jacket. The painting has not been cleaned or relined. There is a ¾" tear in the background, easily repaired, and a few wrinkles in the margins over the stretchers. The artist was a Civil War soldier from Michigan. He enlisted on December 12, 1861, in Company O, 15th Michigan Volunteers and was mustered out on April 30, 1862. A copy of his discharge papers is included in the lot. Custer's portrait appears within a yellow and black shield. A displayed American eagle is at the top, flanked by crossed American flags. A smaller bird is seen below the portrait holding a red, white, and blue ribbon with the identification of the subject and artist. All of this is enclosed within a decorative, Greek Key border. The style is reminiscent of lithographs of regimental histories that were popular in the post-war period. This piece of historical folk art was likely produced between 1865 and 1876 and is housed in a custom frame.