James Walker

James Walker was a painter and illustrator known for his military battle scenes. In 1823, his family immigrated to Albany, New York, where he began his artistic career. Walker is best known for his 1870 panorama of the Battle of Gettysburg, which vividly captured the clash between Union and Confederate forces. The painting was praised for its historical accuracy and artistic quality.
Although little is known about his formal art training, Walker’s early travels in New Orleans and Mexico influenced his work. He was involved in the U.S.-Mexico War, where he sketched battle scenes, including the Battle of Chapultepec, now housed at the Gilcrease Museum. Walker later established studios in New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, where he focused on American battle scenes and Mexican culture. His works are in major collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Denver Art Museum.