Gallery Edition – Breaking up the Camps, of the Army of the Potomac by Arthur Lumley – 67×44 Interior Architectural Study

Curatorial Narrative In the midst of the American Civil War, Arthur Lumley’s “Breaking up the Camps, of the Army of the Potomac” (1863) assumes a unique position within the art historical canon. This Realist rendering, imbued with a documentary feel, captures the ephemeral nature of military encampments through fine brushwork and a muted palette of beige and gray tones. The artist’s technique imbues the scene with an air of verisimilitude, transporting the viewer to the banks of the Potomac River where the Army of the Potomac once lay. Lumley’s visual intent is not to romanticize war but rather to document its quotidian aspects, underscoring the architectural and industrial facets of military infrastructure.When scaled up to 67×44 inches, “Breaking up the Camps” assumes a new level of spatial complexity. The neutral chromatic structure, comprising subtle gradations of beige and gray, creates a sense of atmospheric weight that anchor