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Lot Essay
Depicting Middleburg, Virginia, in the midst of the Civil War in February 1863, the present work captures the uncertainty of a divided America through a quiet scene in one of the most important locations of the War. Of the locale, Mort Künstler has said, "Not only is it beautiful in every season but it is so typical of the Civil War...The war in the Piedmont, like the war at large, revealed Americans at their best and their worst." (as quoted in unpublished pamphlet, n.d.)
Brief Encounter specifically takes place outside the Red Fox Inn of Middleburg. Known as the Beveridge House during the War, the building still resembles Künstler's portrayal of its architecture 150 years ago. The artist writes of the Inn, "I decided to use this historic setting to represent how the fortunes of war produced so many partings and so many fleeting encounters."
According to the artist, the uncertainty of such moments represents the insecurity felt by the war-weary soldiers and civilians. He explains, "The cavalry squadron is depicted in a brief calm moment...The center of interest is an officer tipping his hat to a young woman. Is he saying goodbye to his wife or a sweetheart? Or is it a chance encounter that holds hope for the future? You can decide. Either way, it's a 'leave-taking' in the midst of war and there may be no return."
Brief Encounter specifically takes place outside the Red Fox Inn of Middleburg. Known as the Beveridge House during the War, the building still resembles Künstler's portrayal of its architecture 150 years ago. The artist writes of the Inn, "I decided to use this historic setting to represent how the fortunes of war produced so many partings and so many fleeting encounters."
According to the artist, the uncertainty of such moments represents the insecurity felt by the war-weary soldiers and civilians. He explains, "The cavalry squadron is depicted in a brief calm moment...The center of interest is an officer tipping his hat to a young woman. Is he saying goodbye to his wife or a sweetheart? Or is it a chance encounter that holds hope for the future? You can decide. Either way, it's a 'leave-taking' in the midst of war and there may be no return."