Eric von Schmidt Paints The Battle of the Alamo and Much More

Eric von Schmidt, artist of THE STORMING OF THE ALAMO, a 10 X 23 foot haunting and evocative portrait of the Battle of the Alamo announces his website, http://www.vonsworks.com.

Westport, CT (PRWEB) October 27, 2003 -- Eric von Schmidt continues to paint on a regular basis from his home in Westport, CT. The man that was the inspiration and mentor of Bob Dylan, and who was honored with the ASCAP Lifetime achievement award for 2000 has always thought of his art career as foremost.

Eric von Schmidt is a historical artist. He spent five years painting HERE FELL CUSTER, which has received countless accolades for its vivid portrayal of the last moments on Last Stand Hill when Lt. Col George A. Custer and the 7th Cavalry fought against hordes of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors.

Eric von Schmidts crowning achievement was March 1986 with the unveiling of his masterpiece, THE STORMING OF THE ALAMO, which depicts the final moments of that battle just before dawn on March 6, 1836 as the Mexican soldiers breach the walls and corner the Texan defenders. Gunfire in the early morning light strikes targets as warriors from both sides fall. The drama is tense as Texans desperately try to reload their weapons. Barely seen in the center background of the painting is Davy Crockett. Mr. Von Schmidt explains why he did not place Crockett forward center,

In those last few moments of the battle I believe that Crockett would have been in the process of abandoning the palisade gun position and moving toward the Chapel. He would have taken command of the position after the death of Capt Harrison who I show lying dead at the extreme bottom right of the painting. Crockett is seen just above the left shoulder of the central standing Mexican soldier attempting to bayonet the Texan defender who is fighting with a hunting knife. Crockett is running toward the Chapel and gesturing to his men still remaining at the gun position."

Eric von Schmidts official website covers not only his art, but his fathers, Harold von Schmidt, as well. The son grew up acting out self-invented games and posed for his fathers countless illustrations, first as an infant, then wiry jockey, and then as Indians. He eventually played cavalrymen and cowboys. Many of these illustrations appeared regularly in the Saturday Evening Post" and served as visual inspiration for Harold's friend John Ford and the epic western films starring John Wayne.

At http://www.vonsworks.com you may follow the progress of Mr. von Schmidts current project, THE BALLAD OF LEWIS AND CLARK, a 7 X 4 foot acrylic linen canvas depicting the important meeting between Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and the Corps of Discovery with the Shoshone at Camp Fortunate near present day Dillon, Montana on August 17, 1805. Men of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Shoshone tribe embrace each other in friendship under the mountains and big sky of Montana. The painting is filled with warmth and hope for an unknown future.

About http://www.vonsworks.com

A website devoted to the artistic endeavors of Eric von Schmidt and his father, Harold von Schmidt famous American illustrator for "Saturday Evening Post".

The website covers topics of historical significance related to the art of both the father and son. From the battles of Bunker Hill to The Alamo, the Vons (as the von Schmidt family lovingly named Harold and Eric) have painted on many subjects important to United States history.
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Contact Information:
Bob Reece
P.O. Box 6044
Longmont, CO 80501