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Patient Heroes, a Royal Horse Artillery Gun Team in action, 1882 circa (oil on canvas)
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Patient Heroes, a Royal Horse Artillery Gun Team in action, 1882 circa (oil on canvas)
5925037 Patient Heroes, a Royal Horse Artillery Gun Team in action, 1882 circa (oil on canvas) by Butler, Lady (Elizabeth Southerden Thompson) (1846-1933); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Patient Heroes, a Royal Horse Artillery Gun Team in action, 1882.
Oil on canvas by Mrs Elizabeth (later Lady) Butler (1846-1933), 1882.
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, A Halt on a forced march: Peninsular WarA. Though they are very similar, the second painting places the scene much earlier, on the retreat to Corunna (La CoruAna), 1808-1809. The horses were described by the artist as A spent horsesA, A lean unto warA.
When Lady Butler began painting the second canvas in Ireland in 1891, she was unable to find suitably emaciated horses to study. However, she found plenty when she joined her husband, Colonel (later Lieutenant-General) Sir William Butler, in Egypt later that year. She believed that A had I not been able to put the finishing touches to my team there, the picture would never have been so strongA. 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 A too sad a subjectA.
The blistered surface of the paint indicates that the canvas has at some time been subjected to excessive heat, probably in a fire.); eNational Army Museum; English, out of copyright
Media ID 22568146
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Patient Heroes, a Royal Horse Artillery Gun Team in action, 1882 circa (oil on canvas) by Lady Butler captures the bravery and dedication of soldiers during times of war. Painted in 1882, this masterpiece depicts a gun team from the Royal Horse Artillery engaged in an intense battle. While the exact location remains unknown, it is believed to represent the Egyptian War of that year. Lady Butler's attention to detail is evident as she meticulously portrays the uniforms and equipment of the gun team. The horses depicted are described by the artist as "spent horses" showcasing their exhaustion and determination to serve their country. Interestingly, Lady Butler revisited this theme and composition a few years later with her painting titled "A Halt on a forced march: Peninsular War". Although similar in nature, this second painting places the scene earlier during the retreat to Corunna in 1808-1809. The original canvas has endured some damage over time, evidenced by its blistered surface due to exposure to excessive heat, likely from a fire. Despite being well-received when exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1892, Lady Butler believed that its somber subject matter prevented it from selling successfully. This print serves as a reminder of the courage displayed by these patient heroes who selflessly served their country amidst challenging circumstances.
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