There are artists who paint soldiers. And then there is Don Troiani.
For more than four decades, Troiani has produced historical military paintings of a kind that does not exist anywhere else — works researched down to the last button, the correct regimental color, the exact pattern of a cartridge box. He is not illustrating history from a distance. He is reconstructing it.
That precision is why his prints end up on the walls of historians, veterans, and serious collectors — not as decoration, but as reference.
Who Is Don Troiani?
Don Troiani was born in 1949 and trained as a commercial illustrator before turning his full attention to historical military art in the 1970s. He is best known for his Civil War paintings, though his work spans the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and both World Wars.
What separates him from other military artists is his process. Troiani owns one of the most significant private collections of authentic Civil War uniforms, equipment, and artifacts in existence. When he paints a Union infantryman's frock coat, he has likely handled the actual garment. When he depicts a Confederate battle flag, he has studied the originals.
The result is work that historians trust and collectors prize. His paintings have been featured in major publications, exhibited in museums, and used as primary visual references by institutions that demand accuracy.
What Makes a Troiani Print Worth Collecting
Not all prints are equal. Here is what to look for:
Edition type. Troiani's work is reproduced as open-edition prints and limited-edition giclées on canvas or paper. Limited editions are signed and numbered, produced in defined runs, and carry significantly higher collectible value. Open editions are museum-quality reproductions suitable for display but do not appreciate the same way.
Subject matter. Certain subjects carry more collector demand — major engagements, iconic units, and pieces that correspond to current anniversaries or renewed historical interest. Civil War centennial and sesquicentennial periods drove significant spikes in demand for specific titles.
Condition. As with any fine art print, condition governs value. Fading, foxing, and improper framing under non-UV glass reduce both display quality and resale worth.
Authentication. Legitimate Troiani prints come with documentation. Unsigned "Troiani-style" prints and reproductions sold without provenance are not the same thing. The distinction matters.
The Civil War Paintings
Troiani's Civil War body of work is the most extensive and most collected. A few titles that appear regularly on collector lists:
Gettysburg subjects — Pickett's Charge, the Iron Brigade, the defense of Little Round Top. These are among his most recognized compositions and remain in consistent demand.
United States Colored Troops — Troiani's paintings of USCT regiments are among the most historically careful depictions of Black soldiers in the Civil War, and increasingly sought by collectors interested in a more complete historical record.
Artillery and cavalry — subjects that allow Troiani to display the full complexity of period equipment, often with more visual drama than infantry line paintings.
The Revolutionary War Work
Less widely known but equally rigorous. Troiani's Revolutionary War paintings apply the same artifact-based research to a period where primary visual sources are scarcer, making his reconstructions more valuable as historical records.
Caring for a Troiani Print
Frame under UV-protective glass. Military art prints are typically displayed in well-lit rooms. UV glass prevents the color shift and fading that standard glass allows over years of exposure.
Avoid humidity and temperature swings. Paper and canvas respond to environmental changes. A consistent, dry interior environment preserves the substrate.
Store rolled prints correctly. If a print arrives rolled, unroll and flatten it before framing rather than storing it long-term in the tube.
Where Relic & Reel Fits
We carry a curated selection of Don Troiani prints — open editions and, where available, limited editions with documentation. Every piece we list is sourced through authorized channels. We do not carry reproductions without provenance, and we do not represent unlicensed copies as legitimate prints.
If you are looking for a specific title or subject, contact us directly. We can check availability and advise on editions.
Browse Don Troiani prints for sale →
Published by Jay Jayyusi, founder of Relic & Reel. Questions about any piece we carry: hello@relicandreel.com
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