By Dawn's Early Light by Abraham Hunter

"Years ago, I was inspired to make a small painting depicting the fighting at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It was an experimental venture into naval painting and I made a couple rookie mistakes of course. Years later, after doing dozens of similar paintings, I decided to paint the scene  again. I have really enjoyed diving deep into the story that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National anthem. This painting shows the moment when a British Invasion force in small boats left the siege fleet to land on the shores around the American fort, but was eventually forced back by the defenders. It was a stormy and rainy night filled with lightning from the sky, red rocket trails from one gunship, and hundreds of  flickering mortar rounds falling above, around, and inside the fort from the other warships. On the horizon, you can see the faint light of dawn that showed how the American flag flew proudly amid the smoke and chaos of battle. I even looked up the blueprints to the British ships that would have been in the firing positions depicted to be sure the flags and construction of the rocket and mortar ships would be as precise as possible.

I am proud of this piece because I painted it during an interesting time to be an American… when our patriotism is tested. I hope and pray we join together and nurture the best of what America stands for while healing and fixing the problems within. I hope we remember that we are brothers, sisters, and fellow countrymen. One nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Happy Independence Day!"
~Abraham Hunter