February 7, 2025 by Gettysburg Connection
Mort Künstler, renowned as America’s most prominent historical artist, passed away on February 2, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Rockville Centre, New York. He was 97 years old.
During a career that spanned seven decades, he will perhaps be remembered most for his realistic and detailed paintings of the Civil War. Born into a European Jewish family (some sources state his birth year as 1931), his interest in drawing was sparked during his youth. While attending Brooklyn College, he focused on sports and excelled in football, track & field, and swimming. He studied at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Pratt Institute.
An excursion to Mexico on a motorcycle with a classmate led to further experience painting, and after graduation, he landed a position at New York’s Neeley Associates Illustration Studio.
Künstler became a freelance artist and found work for various men’s adventure magazines, in addition to artwork for paperbacks. This led to opportunities with The Saturday Evening Post and National Geographic Magazine. During the 1970s, he produced movie posters for the motion pictures The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and The Taking of Pelham, One Two, Three (1974). His Civil War artwork became official U.S. postage stamps during the 1990s. In 2011, his portrayal of George Washington crossing the Delaware River was unveiled. His works are displayed in museums nationwide, as well as in Canada and Europe.
In 1982, a commission for CBS-TV’s miniseries The Blue and the Gray ignited Künstler’s interest in the Civil War. By 1988, he focused almost exclusively on Civil War subjects, earning him the title of “most collected Civil War artist in America.” His dedication to authenticity led him to consult with historians and visit battlefields, ensuring each painting was a faithful representation of history.
Künstler’s work was showcased in numerous exhibitions, including the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Nassau County Museum of Art. His 1998 exhibition at the Nassau County Museum attracted over 30,000 visitors, surpassing previous attendance records. His artwork was prominently featured in Gettysburg through exhibitions and local galleries, including King James Galleries, which regularly displayed and sold his pieces.
Beyond the Civil War, his art encompassed events like the Oklahoma Land Rush and the experiences of immigrants at Ellis Island, reflecting his ability to humanize historical moments. His legacy is one of dedication to historical accuracy and artistic excellence. His paintings continue to educate and inspire, offering viewers a window into America’s past.