Benjamin Franklin Reinhart (1829-1885)

Depicting a younger Robert E. Lee with dark hair, this portrait shows the Commander in Chief of the army of the Confederate States of America in a uniform from the 1860s, likely that of a Brigadier General. It is thought that this portrait was painted by Reinhart in England possibly from a photograph or daguerreotype of Lee just after the Mexican-American War (The Old Print Shop Portfolio (October 1963), vol. 23. p. 45). This piece is thought to possibly remain in its original frame. A portrait of General P.G.T. Beauregard painted by Reinhart in a similar frame sold at Neal Auction Company, New Orleans, 5 February 2000, lot 201.