(Civil War Scene with Three Union and Confederate Soldiers Strewn on the Battlefield), oil on canvas, 72" x 108". Exhibition: This painting was first shown at the "Great Central Fair" in Philadelphia June of 1864. The painting is listed at #234 in the fair catalogue entitled "Catalogue of Paintings, Drawings, Statuary Etc. of the Art Department in the Great Central Fair...1864...Philadelphia". The stretcher bears a fragmented label which reads "Fine Art Section, Great Central Fair". Note: Victor Nehlig was born in Paris, studied art under Cogniet and came to the United States in 1856, after residing a number of years in Cuba. He settled in New York when he was elected Associate Member of the National Academy in 1863, and an Academician in 1870. About 1865, a disastrous fire in his Broadway studio left him with only this picture, a historical depiction, "The Night After the Battle", (possibly still in Philadelphia?) The artist appears to have remained in New York and embarked on paintings of Indian subjects such as "Hiawatha" and "Pocahontas". By 1873 Nehlig had settled in Louisville, Kentucky, which was developing a substantial art community and regular significant exhibitions. At this time he conceived a great series of scenes from Daniel Boone's life to adorn the State Capitol, and made preliminary studies, but did not receive a commission. Noted as a historical portrait and genre painter, Nehlig painted numerous historical pieces including various battle scenes which find place in institutions and private collections. Among his best known works are "The Calvary Charge" in the New York Historical Society Collection, "Battle of Antietam", "Waiting for the Enemy", "Gertrude of Wyoming", "Pocahontas and John Smith", and "The Artist's Dream".