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Custer's Last Command by Richard Luce (bio below)

 24 x 36 Giclee On Canvas Edition of 263 - RL-14001 Release Price $800

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Legend:

1.  Lieut. Col. George Custer;    2.  1^st Lieut. W.W. Cooke;    3.  "Handsome Jack" ;    4.  1^st Lieut. Algernon Smith;    5.  Capt. Tom Custer;    6.  Capt. George Yates;    7.  Boston Custer;    8.  Autie Reed;     9.  Sgt. Major William Sharrow;     Soldiers of F company - Black Hats;     Soldiers of C company - Gray Hats;      Some Officers had straw hats

 

 

 

 

 

In the painting I show the point in the battle when the Indians have most likely destroyed Lieut. Calhoun's and Capt. Keogh's positions and are surrounding Custer and his headquarters group. His brother Tom and remnants of Company C along with Company F under Capt. Yates are also shown. Also included are Lieuts. William Cooke and Algernon Smith along with Sgt. Major Sharrow. Custer's youngest brother Boston Custer, and nephew Autie Reed are shown but were later found at the bottom of the hill in a futile attempt at escape. Most of the soldiers shown are from F Company who wore black hats and rode bay horses. However recent findings suggest that most if not all of their horses were run off by the Indians. Company C wore gray hats and rode light sorrel horses and Company E wore gray hats and rode gray horses. I have included these as well as "Vic" Custer's sorrel horse. Most of the dead horses found on the hill were from C and E troops. Many of the officers and soldiers wore frontier style clothing while in the field and some wore shirts similar to those of the Custer clan. It was a blue wool bib front shirt with piping.

 

Some officers had a personal preference in weapons. Lieut. Cooke used a .45/70 infantry rifle instead of a carbine. Capt. Yates preferred a .44 cal. Smith & Wesson over the standard issue Colt. George and Tom used Webley Bulldog revolvers. In the painting I have Boston Custer firing a Sharps hunting rifle belonging to his brother. Autie Reed has picked up a carbine but being so young and inexperienced is not firing. The army issue bullets were copper cased and caused a problem by sometimes splitting and getting stuck in the breech. They then had to be dug out with a knife as one soldier is doing.

 

The gunsmoke and dust were very thick making it difficult to see and breath. The Indians fired bullets and arrows into the dust cloud from every direction until the final rush at the end.

 

Richard Luce

 

 

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      Born and raised in Yonkers, NY this artist of Italian descent has devoted his life to portraying the history he loves. A professional artist for over 28 years, his subject matter has varied little from his primary interest, the American west. After graduating with a degree in commercial art from Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY where he learned the basics of composition, color and design, he worked for a publishing co. in Manhattan as an assistant art director. During that time he started developing his artistic style while painting in the evenings. After experimenting with different subjects his love of the American West won out. He states “ When I was young the paintings I most admired were those of Frederic Remington and I still get a chill when I stand in front of one”. Painting Western subjects comes naturally to this artist. His interest and fascination with American Indians with their free roaming way of life and strong family structure has enabled him to produce paintings of unequaled excellence. He started selling his paintings in the early 70's through the Douglas Gallery in Stamford, CT. During that time he developed quite a following which encouraged him to make the big decision to quit his job and to paint full time. That was in 1978 and he has never regretted his decision or the fascinating journey his life became.

    He started to travel the west to see it all first hand. Hiking in the back country of California, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Alaska and Canada in all weather conditions he observed nature at its best. His paintings reflect his hands on knowledge as he always strives for authenticity in his work. Many collectors have commented that his snow feels cold and his water feels wet and they can sense the different textures he paints whether they are hard stone or a soft feather.

The area where he truly excels is in his portrayal of the American Indian. His paintings reflect their quite dignity and strength. To better understand how they lived he has read many books and over the years he has often camped in primitive gear in his own Tipi to wear the clothes, hear the sounds and smell the wood smoke. The insights these experiences give him are of great importance in understanding the subject and trying to portray it accurately.

   Richard presently lives in Crestwood, KY, with his wife Lea Ann and their two dogs and continues to do what he was born to do and hopes others find escape and pleasure while viewing his work. 

The low resolution of the eBay picture here may make this look a bit blurry or almost out of focus. The actual print you will receive is very crisp and clear, just, as the artist had intended it.