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William Dickinson Washington (1833-1870) was a gifted American painter best known for his Civil War painting "The Burial of Latane." He came to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1869 to serve as the school's first Professor of Fine Arts. During his brief tenure, he produced more than twenty portraits and landscapes which are now part of VMI's art collection.
Washington was born in Clarke County, Virginia to Perrin Washington (1790-1857) and Hannah Fairfax Whiting (1799-1856). As a young man, he served as a draftsman in the United States Patent Office where he showed artistic talent at an early age. He then studied in Dusseldorf, Germany under Emmanuel Leutze of "Washington Crossing the Delaware" fame.
During the Civil War, Washington served as a staff officer. During this period he completed sketches of several mountain scenes that he later put on canvas. While in Richmond, Virginia, he completed two major paintings, "The Burial of Latane" and "Jackson Entering Winchester." At the end of the War, he established a studio in New York, working there until he accepted the position at VMI in July 1869.
Washington was commissioned by VMI to create portraits of alumni and faculty who were killed in battle during the Civil War. Having never known most of his subjects, he relied upon photographs and descriptions to complete the portraits. Subjects included:
In addition, Washington completed several beautiful landscapes and paintings based upon Alfred Tennyson's poems. He also established VMI's first art gallery in the building known as the Porter's Lodge, or Round House, which was torn down in 1912. He also provided instruction to cadets who were interested in fine arts.
Washington died suddenly on December 1, 1870, just 18 months after arriving at VMI.
Washington produced more than 20 portraits and landscapes that are now part of VMI’s art collection. Explore some of these paintings below.
Washington painted this piece while studying in Dusseldorf, Germany. The painting depicts the 1562 massacre by Duke Francis de Guise of about 100 Huguenots who were attending a worship service in a barn located in Wassy, France.
This uncompleted painting depicts Superintendent Francis H. Smith, the faculty, and members of the Board of Visitors gathered to plan the reconstruction of VMI after the Civil War.
This Civil War scene shows the burial of a Confederate soldier. This was a popular fixture in southern homes during the late 19th century. The widely circulated steel engraving by Campbell & Pate (1868) was copied from the 1864 painting.
A portrait of Confederate Colonel Waller T. Patton, VMI Class of 1855, as he looked in 1862. Patton was mortally wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863 while leading the 7th Virginia Infantry. He was the great-uncle of General George S. Patton, Jr. of World War II fame.
This painting is based on an Alfred Tennyson poem. Mary Maury, the daughter of Matthew Fontaine Maury, posed for this painting.
A painting of the VMI Commandant's quarters in ruins after the Civil War with House Mountain in the background.
A painting of the landscape behind Washington and Lee University.
A portrait of Confederate Officer George G. Otey, VMI Class of 1855, as he looked in 1861. Otay was Captain of the Otey Battery, which became part of the 13th Battalion Virginia Artillery.
A portrait of Colonel George S. Patton, VMI Class of 1852, as he looked in 1861. Patton was the commander of the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment during the Civil War and was killed in Winchester, Virginia in 1864. Patton is the grandfather of General George S. Patton, Jr. of World War II fame.
A portrait of Confederate Colonel James W. Allen, VMI Class of 1849, as he looked in 1861. Allen was killed in the Battle at Gaines Mill, Virginia on June 27, 1862.
A portrait of what Confederate Officer John B. Strange, VMI Class of 1842, looked like in 1862. Strange was a Colonel in the 19th Virginia Infantry and was killed at the Battle of South Mountain, Maryland, in September 1962.
A portrait of what Confederate Captain John Q. Marr, VMI Class of 1846, looked like in 1861. Marr was killed in the Battle at Fairfax Court House on June 1, 1861, and was the first Confederate officer killed in the Civil War.
A portrait of Confederate Officer Joseph H. Chenoweth, VMI Class of 1859, as he looked in 1861. Chenoweth served with the 31st Virginia Infantry Regiment and was killed in battle at Port Republic, New Jersey in June 1862.
A portrait of Major Joseph White Latimer, VMI Class of 1863, as he looked in 1863. Latimer was mortally wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 2, 1863, and died on August 1. He was known as the "Boy Major" and served with W. A. Tanner's Company of Virginia Light Artillery.
A portrait of Confederate General Robert E. Lee based on an 1864 photograph.
A portrait of Confederate General Robert E. Rodes, VMI Class of 1848, as he looked in 1863. He was killed in Winchester, Virginia on September 19, 1864.
A portrait of Confederate General Samuel Garland, VMI Class of 1849, as he looked in 1861. He was killed at the Battle of Stone Mountain, Georgia on September 14, 1862.
A portrait of Confederate Colonel Stapleton Crutchfield, VMI Class of 1855, as he looked in 1863. He died near Appomattox, Virginia on April 5, 1865.
