Cornelius Haly Hankins (Mississippi/Tennessee, 1863-1946) oil on canvas bust-length portrait of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, attired in his Civil War uniform. Signed and dated lower left "Cornelius Hankins A.D. 1935." Housed in a gilt wood frame. Sight: 30" H x 25 1/4" W. Framed: 35 1/4" H x 30 5/8" W. An old note en verso reads: "This portrait of Robt. E. Lee is given to the Mansion in Milledgeville in loving memory of my father, Capt. William Joseph Kincaid of Griffin, Ga, Sept. 21, 1939.-Addavale Kincaid Hunt, HIstorian Boynton Chapter, U.D.C. [United Daughters of the Confederacy]." Captain Kincaid (1841-1923) was a member of the CSA 1st North Carolina Volunteers and fought with Lee at Gettysburg; he later became a cotton tycoon. The "Mansion" likely refers to the Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville, Georgia's capital from 1804-1868, and may have been commissioned by Kincaid's daughter. Artist Cornelius Hankins studied with Robert Henri, leader of the Ashcan School, and with William Merritt Chase in New York and was active for much of his career in the Nashville area. Around the turn of the 20th century, he was commissioned to paint posthumous portraits of twelve Confederate generals from photographs, including another portait of Lee done in 1901 for the Tennessee General Assembly. Provenance: Private Franklin, Tennessee collection.

Overall very good condition, canvas most likely cleaned. See Blacklight photo for restoration questions. Framed overall good condition with general wear.