ATLANTA CYCLORAMA (Mark)

It is impossible in words, or pictures on a computer screen, to describe the Atlanta Cyclorama.

This post will hopefully pique your interest, and if you are in the Atlanta area, to make time to visit the Historical Society where the Cyclorama is displayed.

Standing on the elevated viewing platform you are entirely surrounded by the exhibit.  A number of the Union Officers are recognizable.  None of the Confederate officers are painted or modeled to be recognized.

Originally the viewing platform circled around to view the surroundings.  It is now stationery, but you have two distinct levels to view the exhibit from, and a couple of stairways you can ascend and descend to change perspective.  The effect is incredible.

The painted portion of the exhibit is 17,866 square feet of canvas.  It is 371 feet long, and 49 feet in height.  It weighs more than 10,000 pounds.  It cost about $34,000,000 to refinish the exhibit.

The painting has gone through several iterations, including one interim repainting, to make it appear the Confederates were winning.  The current restoration has restored it to the original as much as possible.  The story of the original work, reworking, and final restoration is in itself a fascinating story.  You can watch a history of this narrated by James Earl Jones.

The colors and light and shadow are done in detail that is hard to explain.  It is slightly curved to make the horizon look real.  The figures and objects are many different sizes to give the perspective of near and far.  And shadows from the clouds in relation to the sun are accounted for.

And if you are wondering what Clark Gable is doing in the Cyclorama, well . . .

you should go and find out!