Sunrise on the Arkansas [title by artist]

Drawn by Alfred Waud
Pen, Pastel, and Ink on Paper
H: 7.5”, W: 11.5”
Gala Fund Purchase Honoring Ginger and Adron Crews
98.9.1

Alfred Rodolph Waud is best known as one of the American Civil War’s premier “artists-in-the-field.” Hundreds of his evocative and accurate on-the-spot sketches of Civil War battle scenes were engraved and published in notable American newspapers, journals, and books from the time of his arrival in this country from England in 1850, until his death, while on assignment, in 1891. He was the star staff illustrator for "Harper's Weekly" during the Civil War and developed quite a skill for quickly sketching battles during dangerous situations. Waud sketched in Arkansas mostly during Reconstruction.

Waud notably sketched views of Arkansas from the Mississippi River, including towns such as Helena, Napoleon, and Hopefield (West Memphis). This drawing depicts a steamboat near present day Fort Roots. Waud signed the drawing in the lower right corner, “Sunrise on the Arkansas- a Snag- A.R.W.”