Myth and Reality

1 Jul 2025 - 1 Nov 2026

Myth and Reality: Military Art in the Age of Queen Victoria

This major exhibition of rarely seen artworks illuminates shifting attitudes towards soldiers and the Army during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837 – 1901).

Visit the exhibition

Explore Myth and Reality stories

Home Again, 1858

This painting by Henry Nelson O'Neil captures the moment soldiers and their families are reunited after a long spell of separation. Here, we take a closer look at the artwork to gain a 19th-century insight into this often neglected aspect of military life.

Dawn of Waterloo

This emotive oil painting is one of the highlights of our art collection. Details revealed during four months of specialist conservation have enhanced our understanding of the artist, Lady Butler, and her empathy for the ordinary soldier.

Capturing the Army

Today, the Army trains specialist photographers to capture its story. But the demand for images depicting soldiers' experiences is nothing new. Here we look at some of the earliest pioneers of military photography.

General Sir Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1894

Frederick Roberts: Bobs

Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts was one of Britain’s most successful military commanders of the 19th century, winning victories during the Second Afghan War and revitalising the British campaign in the Boer War.

Drawn on the spot: War artists and the illustrated press

To satisfy the Victorian public’s growing desire for authentic images of war, newspapers began sending artists to accompany British troops on campaign. Their pictures formed the substance of much war reporting.

Explore Myth and Reality events

Detail from the painting 'Home Again, 1858'

Exhibition

1 Jul 2025 - 1 Nov 2026 FREE

Myth and Reality: Military Art in the Age of Queen Victoria

This major exhibition of rarely seen artworks illuminates shifting attitudes towards soldiers and the Army during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837 – 1901).

Workshop

29 Jul 2025 - 1 Aug 2025 FREE

Heroic Headwear

Get inspired by the images in our ‘Myth and Reality’ exhibition, then create your own piece of iconic headwear at our military hat-making workshop.

Tour

5-8 Aug 2025 FREE

Voices from the Canvas: A Family Storytelling Tour

Join our storyteller on a journey through our new exhibition and discover how art brings the myths and realities of war to life.

Talk

8 Aug 2025 FREE

Domesticity and Intimacy in Victorian Military Art

Explore the world of Victorian military art with Professor Philip Shaw as he reflects on the relationship between wartime experience and domestic daily life.

Visitors in the Myth and Reality exhibition

Tour

8 Aug 2025 £15.00

Exhibition Tour: Myth and Reality

Enjoy a guided tour of our new major exhibition, ‘Myth and Reality: Military Art in the Age of Queen Victoria’, with lead curator Susan Ward.

Workshop

19-22 Aug 2025 FREE

Marvellous Victorian Medals

Join us for this family-friendly workshop and create a medal worthy of the highest achievement using clay and other materials.

‘Patient Heroes’, a Royal Horse Artillery gun team in action, 1882

Tour

30 Aug 2025 £2.00

Victorian Art: BSL Tour

Follow expert guide Edward Richards on a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of our new exhibition ‘Myth and Reality: Military Art in the Age of Queen Victoria’.