Warley Camp is a 1780 painting by the French-born British artist Philip James de Loutherbourg. It is often known as Warley Camp: The Review to distinguish it from its pendant painting The Mock Attack.[1]
| Warley Camp | |
|---|---|
_-_Warley_Camp,_The_Review_-_RCIN_406349_-_Royal_Collection.jpg) | |
| Artist | Philip James de Loutherbourg |
| Year | 1780 |
| Type | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 120 cm × 184 cm (48 in × 72.3 in) |
| Location | Royal Collection |
History and description
editIt depicts a scene from October 1778 when a British Army encampment took place during the American War of Independence. Following France's entry into the war,. Britain was faced with the prospect of a French Invasion. A large gathering of British troops took place at Warley Common in Essex. George III and his wife Queen Charlotte came to review the assembled troops who then took part in a military exercise.[2] In 1804 during the Napoleonic Wars a permeant Warley Barracks was established at the location.
_-_Warley_Camp,_The_Mock_Attack_-_RCIN_406348_-_Royal_Collection.jpg)
The painter sketched a number of soldiers as preparation for the work.[3] The paintings were commissioned by Lieutenant General Richard Pierson who commanded the troops taking part in the mock attack. He presented them both the George III as a gift. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition in 1780 and was later hung by the king at Kew Palace. Today the painting remains in the Royal Collection.[4]
References
edit- ^ Roberts p.189
- ^ https://www.rct.uk/collection/406349/warley-camp-the-review
- ^ Franklin p.121
- ^ https://www.rct.uk/collection/406349/warley-camp-the-review
Bibliography
edit- Conway, Stephen. The British Army, 1714–1783: An Institutional History. Pen and Sword Military, 2021.
- Franklin, Carl. British Army Uniforms of the American Revolution 1751-1783. Casemate Publishers, 2012.
- Roberts, Jane. George III and Queen Charlotte: Patronage, Collecting and Court Taste. Royal Collection, 2004.