| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Wallbanger |
Posted - May 04 2004 : 2:15:20 PM
Robert Griffing
America's Foremost Frontier Artist
Unveiled His Newest Painting
At the 29th Annual Kalamazoo Living History Show™
Robert Griffing, America's foremost frontier artist, unveiled his newest painting entitled, "He Befriended Me Greatly," at the 29th Annual Kalamazoo Living History Show™, Saturday, March 20, 2004. The art work was commissioned as the cover of the new book, "Through So Many Dangers: The Memoirs and Adventures of Robert Kirk, Late of the Royal Highland Regiment " by Grand Rapids, Michigan, historian and author, Tim J. Todish and Lt. Col. Ian McCulloch, of the Canadian Army and former commanding officer of the Canadian Battalion of the famous Black Watch Regiment.
Griffing's cover painting, "He Befriended Me Greatly," depicts the dramatic moment when Highland Soldier Robert Kirk is captured and "rescued" by the Shawnee warrior who will soon become his adopted brother. With Griffing's skill at painting both Highlanders and Indians, there is no doubt that this opportunity to combine both into one scene has result in one of his finest works. The original painting was part of a special exhibit of Robert Griffing's artwork at the show.
The book, "Through So Many Dangers: The Memoirs and Adventures of Robert Kirk, Late of the Royal Highland Regiment," is an annotated and illustrated reprinting of an extremely rare French & Indian War journal that has a great deal of relevance to early Michigan and the Midwest. Kirk (actually Robert Kirkwood) was a private in the 77th (Montgomerie's), and later the 42nd (Black Watch) Highland Regiments. He was captured by the Shawnee during Major Grant's engagement at Fort Duquesne, September 1758, and adopted into the tribe. After he escaped and rejoined his regiment, he went on the St. Francis raid with Rogers' Rangers as a volunteer, accompanied Rogers to Detroit in 1760, and took part in Battle of Signal Hill, Newfoundland. During the Pontiac War, he participated in the Battle of Bushy Run and in 1765 accompanied the Stirling Expedition down the Ohio River to take possession of Fort de Chartres.
The book is scheduled to debut at the Fort Ticonderoga War College of the Seven Years' War in May. In addition to the cover, a number of Griffing's other paintings are used as illustrations for the book. A selection of 18th and 19th century maps and engravings will round out the illustrations.
Future show dates for the Kalamazoo Living History Show™ are:
March 19-20, 2005 • March 18-19, 2006 • March 17-18, 2007
www.KalamazooShow.Com
"He Befriended Me Greatly"(L-R) Tim J. Todish, Author; Robert Griffing, Artist
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| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - May 07 2004 : 7:45:11 PM
quote:
Ithiliana asks: is it just me or is the name a little... weird?
The title comes from a quote of Robert Kirk, found within his memoirs. I have parts of his memoirs, courtesy of Dr. Stephen Brumwell, which deal with Pte. Kirk's capture after Grant's Defeat. In it Kirk mention's how the warrior who adopted him spared the young private from a death by torture. With the knowledge of his deliverance, he stated that the warrior's act of adoption, "befriended me greatly". I hope that this helps answer your question.
Your Most Humble Servant,
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| Ithiliana |
Posted - May 06 2004 : 3:42:07 PM
is it just me or is the name a little... weird? |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - May 06 2004 : 12:19:31 PM
An excellent work!!!! In March I was invited over to Mr. Griffing's residence to get a sneak peak, before the unveiling, of "He Befriended Me Greatly". Here is a picture I snapped of the event:
Image Insert:
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Your Most Humble Servant,
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