"Sept. 19, 1881" James Garfield *Original*

Title: "Sept. 19, 1881" James Garfield
Size: 30 x 60 in.
Year: 2017
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Medium: Acrylic on canvas

A presidential moment suspended in time

“Sept. 19, 1881” James Garfield by Kyle Lucks reflects the tension, tragedy, and lasting impact of James Garfield’s untimely death, an event that reshaped the national conversation around leadership and protection. As the 20th President of the United States, Garfield was shot just months into his presidency and died ten weeks later. This piece is part of Lucks’ Assassinated Presidents series, which blends historical reverence with bold visual storytelling. It’s an emotionally charged tribute to a president whose life, and loss, left a permanent mark on American history.

Inside the Art: The Story Behind “Sept. 19, 1881” James Garfield

James Garfield’s presidency was brief, but his legacy endures through both policy and tragedy. “Sept. 19, 1881” James Garfield by Kyle Lucks captures the gravity of Garfield’s assassination, an event that sent shockwaves across the country and contributed to the evolution of presidential security in the United States.

Shot at a train station by Charles Guiteau on July 2, 1881, Garfield suffered for ten long weeks before passing on September 19. This large-format acrylic painting confronts that history directly. Bold brushwork, stark contrasts, and expressive detail invite the viewer to reflect on mortality, leadership, and the fragility of public service. The piece also carries personal meaning for the artist. Garfield was the subject of a grade school report that left a lasting impression on Lucks and eventually inspired this entire series.

Whether you’re a historian, a lover of symbolic American art, or a collector interested in narrative-driven work, this painting invites a deeper conversation about identity, memory, and the moments that shape national consciousness.

Why Buy “Sept. 19, 1881” James Garfield:

• Rare presidential focus
  Captures the rarely depicted story of James Garfield’s assassination, an event that shifted the nation’s understanding of presidential vulnerability.
• Rooted in real history
  Part of Lucks’ historically inspired Assassinated Presidents series, with origins in the artist’s personal connection to Garfield’s story.
• Gallery-scale storytelling
  The 30"x60" original canvas is bold, textured, and emotionally resonant - ideal for collectors seeking meaningful statement art.
• Conversation-starting centerpiece
  Perfect for offices, academic spaces, or home libraries that highlight political history or cultural storytelling.
  
  

Perfect For:

• History lovers drawn to stories behind America’s lesser-known presidents
• Art collectors who appreciate narrative depth in large-scale statement pieces
• Scholars, educators, or civic spaces reflecting on presidential legacies
• Fans of Kyle Lucks’ Assassinated Presidents series and conceptually driven art
• Collectors building a historical or presidential-themed gallery wall