About this artwork
George Cope was commissioned in 1887 by his friend Levi McCauley of West Chester, Pennsylvania, to commemorate Major McCauley’s service in the Civil War. He depicted the ensemble of military artifacts in a style known as trompe l’oeil (French for “fools the eye”). With its shallow backdrop, precisely rendered objects—including swords, medals, a leather belt and buckle, a Major’s kepi (hat), and a holster—and accompanying shadows, the composition is convincing in its illusionism, drawing viewers in for a closer look.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of the Americas
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Artist
- George Cope
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Title
- Civil War Regalia of Major Levi Gheen McCauley
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Place
- United States (Artist's nationality:)
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Date
- 1887
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Medium
- Oil on canvas
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Dimensions
- 127 × 92.7 cm (50 × 36 1/2 in.)
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Credit Line
- Quinn E. Delaney and Chauncey and Marion McCormick funds; Wesley M. Dixon Endowment
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Reference Number
- 2000.134
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/154495/manifest.json