353 pages, 30 colour illustrations & 220 bw, £35
ISBN 1-85367-157-6
Published: 1993, Greenhill Books, Lionel Leventhal Ltd, 1 Russell Gardens, London NW11 9NN

As the curator of the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection at Brown University in Providence, USA, the author of this volume is well-qualified to write on the iconography of war. British Art-ists & War covers a fairly wide period. It begins with a few early works depicting the English Civil War, setting what follows on a firm historical foundation. Harrington then ranges over images as diverse as John Hamilton Mortimer’s overtly romanticised, comic-opera interpretation (circa 1776) of The Battle of Aqincourt, and Benjamin West’s mould-breaking contemporary depiction of the Death of General Wolfe.

Napoleonic enthusiasts are catered for in a chapter which combines the wars against the French in North America with the Napoleonic period. Naturally British artists concentrated on subjects which would appeal to the British public - namely campaigns and actions in which British forces participated! Consequently, many major campaigns of the Napoleonic period were ignored by British battle artists.

Surprisingly, even the Peninsular Campaign failed to inspire the leading artists of the day. Not so however, the early Egyptian Campaign and later events centred around the Battle of Waterloo, both of which are presented in depth. The necessary constraints on the size of each chapter in a work of this scope may be frustrating to born-again Bonapartists, or enthusiasts of his arch-rival Wellington, but this in no way diminishes the quality of the fare that is served up. The author expertly guides the reader through the world of the British Napoleonic battle painters and engravers, also covering contemporary public reaction to their works (particularly to the large panoramas then in vogue).

Having dealt with the Napoleonic era, the author moves on to a selection of succeeding campaigns, which read like the battle honours of a British regiment; Crimean War, Indian Mutiny, Zulu War, Afghanistan, Transvaal, Egypt, Sudan, Boer War. The book ends with the opening rounds of the First World War.

In addition to 30 colour and 220 black & white illustrations there is a comprehensive catalogue of more than 800 military paintings around the world. This splendid book would make a valued addition to the library of any military enthusiast.

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