The Battle of San Jacinto
Henry McArdle's painting of the Alamo's fall is one of the most famous artistic depictions of Texas history, but his other great Texas Revolution painting, The Battle of San Jacinto is not nearly as well known.
That's a shame.
The full title is The Battle of San Jacinto - Retributive Justice and the Triumph of Texas' Independence. and, just like his Dawn at the Alamo painting, it hangs in the senate chamber at the capitol.
The extended title is apt, as that's exactly what it shows: retribution for invasion, for the Alamo, and for Goliad.
The artist put in years of study and research to get it right. Reuben Marmaduke Potter, who should be considered the first Texas military historian, advised the McArdle on the uniforms and weapons of both sides.
McArdle also interviewed San Jacinto veterans about what they did and witnessed. When the Texas Veterans Association met in 1891, the surviving San Jacinto veterans gave the painting their endorsement, writing:
"We the undersigned participants in the Battle of San Jacinto having (viewed) McArdle's painting of said battle do hereby certify to its absolute historical truth."
What you see is the most important depiction of the battle from the century in which it was fought.
McArdle painted the battle as many vignettes viewed from the southeast. There's Sam Houston, horse shot from under him, with sword raised urging the men forward. Henry Karnes attempting to seize the Mexican flag as Deaf Smith rides ahead.
The more you study it, the more you discover: Lamar, Rusk, Menchaca, Sylvester, Burleson, Sherman, and more. And of course, there's Santa Anna, the "Napoleon of the West" running for his life.
If the Alamo is called Texas’ Thermopylae, then San Jacinto is her Agincourt. Seven Texians were killed that day and twenty-nine wounded. The Mexican casualties were 630 dead and 208 wounded. 730 Mexican officers and men were taken prisoner.
The stakes could not have been higher. Had Santa Anna been victorious, the geography of North America and the history of the world would be quite different.
The deeds done that day are why we have Texas and call ourselves Texans.
Our museum quality reproduction is 36 by 24 inches and is limited to 254 copies, one for each county in Texas. Each one is hand-numbered.
Physical Details
- 36 by 24 inches
- Limited Edition of 254 copies
- Each is hand-numbered
- Museum Quality Reproduction
This is a high quality fine-art print.
The paper is acid free, cold press cotton with an elegant ever so lightly textured finish. This surface allows the inks to 'bite', reproducing the shading and tonality of the original map vividly, beautifully, and exactly.
The inks are guaranteed color-fast for 80 years, which means you won't need to lay out the extra money for UV glass. You can hang your map in direct sun and it will be just as bright when they are passed on to the next generation it is the day it ships.
It's an instant heirloom. Get yours before they're gone...and get one to give to a friend. He'll owe you!
