Wagon at Fort Union Ruins Oil Painting by Connie Blake (1946-2026). It depicts an old wagon in front of Fort Union, the largest 19th-Century fort in the Southwest, key to the Santa Fe Trail in New Mexico. Oil on board, signed lower right and displayed in its period frame. Sight: 16" L x 12" H. Fort Union located in Mora County New Mexico was an important post established in 1851. It was used in the Indian and Civil Wars and was a commercial center. Abandoned in 1890, it became an American national monument in 1956. Connie Blake (1946-2026) was a well known artist who painted scenes in New Mexico. Provenance: From Blake's Estate in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her card verso. Art has long been regarded as a strong and safe investment. Ellen Kelleher, a personal finance reporter for The Financial Times recently wrote an article recommending art Particularly in the $500 - $50,000 range as a sound long term investment with an impressive current average annual yield of 9.7%. See 'Hang Your Investments on the Wall' in the Financial Times published in October, 2010.