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Notes

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Although the uniforms and equipment of the gun team are carefully observed, the scene of the action has not been positively identified. As the work was painted in 1882, it is most likely to represent the Egyptian War of that year. A print after the painting was published as a supplement to the 'Summer Number of The Graphic' in 1889.

The theme and composition of this painting were re-worked by Lady Butler a few years later in another study of a Royal Horse Artillery gun-team, ‘Halt on a Forced March: Peninsular War’. Though they are very similar, the second painting places the scene much earlier, on the retreat to Corunna (La Coruña), 1808–1809.

Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1892 (No.27), the painting was well received, but the painter was of the opinion that it did not sell because it was ‘too sad a subject’.

National Army Museum

London

Title

Patient Heroes, a Royal Horse Artillery Gun Team in Action, c.1882

Date

1882

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 46 x W 63.5 cm

Accession number

NAM. 1993-05-232

Acquisition method

purchased from Alan Beadle Antique Arms, 1993

Work type

Painting

National Army Museum

Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, Greater London SW3 4HT England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

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Artist or maker

Elizabeth Southerden Thompson Butler

1846–1933

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