An interesting story in the New York Times by Robin Pogrebin describes the restoration of the painting, "Return of the 69th (Irish) Regiment, N.Y.S.M From the Seat of War," which will be a permanent and prominent fixture of the New York Historical Society building. The painting by Louis Lang captured the large crowd that gathered along what is now Battery Park to welcome the soldiers returning from the battle of First Bull Run during the Civil War. The well-wishers included families of the soldiers, grieving widows, dignitaries, flower sellers and newsboys.
As the story notes, the painting comes from a time when of works were "expressive and descriptive, tools not only to evoke emotions, but also to do the very real work of simply documenting and recounting history." As such it was much like reporting. Lang painted the complex work quickly and it went on display just over a year after the regiment returned. Soon it will be back on display at the Historical Society, another reminder of a tragic and crucial era.