PERRYVILLE - The 150th Battle of Perryville anniversary commemoration is kicking off with an exhibit of titled "The Art of War."
“The Civil War was one of the most photographed, drawn and painted eras in American history,” said Joni House, preservation specialist at Perryville Battlefield. “We are very lucky to have such a wide range of art that depicts this trying time in our history. Civil War art is as popular today as it was 100 years ago.
The exhibit, located in Civil War Hall, includes a variety of Civil War paintings, a majority of which were contributed by the widow of Conrad C. Ott of Akron, Ohio. Ott was an avid Civil War enthusiast and collector who asked that his collection return to his native Kentucky.
The paintings will be on display 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday in Civil War Hall until Sept. 21.
Preservation director Joni House said Buddy Purdom of Danville, a friend of the Otts, arranged for the art collection to come to Perryville with the assistance William Baas and a van donated by Stuart Powell.
This exhibit includes both historic and modern pieces from artists such as Don Trioani and Mort Kunstler. Other contributors are Dr. Jack Hankla, Robert Preston and Chad Greene.
