Art and Literature

'Dawn of Waterloo', by Lady Elizabeth Butler, 1895

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Dawn of Waterloo

This oil painting is one of the highlights of our Conflict in Europe gallery. Details revealed during four months of specialist conservation have enhanced our understanding of the artist and her empathy for the ordinary soldier.

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A Grand Review of the Army at Hounslow Heath, 1687

This detailed drawing by Willem van de Velde the Elder portrays one of the earliest formal musterings of the Army. Here, we take a closer look at this grand spectacle that allowed King James II to flex his political and military muscle.

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Destruction of the Floating Batteries, Gibraltar, 14 September 1782

This painting by George Carter captures a pivotal moment in the Siege of Gibraltar, a contest for control of this strategic Mediterranean base during the American War of Independence.

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Troops of the Royal West African Frontier Force in the Arakan, Burma, 1944

This painting by Captain Hugh Micklem depicts West African soldiers on campaign in Burma (now Myanmar) during the Second World War.

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The Battle of Blenheim, 13 August 1704

This work of art depicts the final stages of the Battle of Blenheim. It was painted by John Wootton around 40 years after the event. Here, we take a closer look to discover more about this key moment in European history.

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Detail from the painting 'Inside Mastiff 33A'

Inside Mastiff 33A (‘Withdrawing, We Don’t Retreat’), February 2010

This painting by Jules George captures the claustrophobic conditions inside a British patrol vehicle during the war in Afghanistan.

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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.

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The King’s Shilling, c1770

This painting depicts an army recruiting party going about its business at an English country fair. Here, we take a closer look at the artwork to learn more about 18th-century recruitment and its impact on volunteers and their loved ones.

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A soldier relating his exploits in a tavern, 1821

This painting depicts a Waterloo veteran regaling his fellow tavern-goers with tales of past glory. Here, we take a closer look to discover what the artwork tells us about soldiers and society in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars.

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Dawn of Waterloo

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

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Rex Whistler’s self-portrait, May 1940

This self-portrait is one of many depictions of Second World War soldiers on display at the National Army Museum. Here, we take a closer look at the painting to discover more about Whistler's life as an artist and soldier.

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Detail from painting of the Battle of Isandlwana

The Battle of Isandlwana, 22 January 1879

One of our most popular paintings is a depiction of the Battle of Isandlwana by Charles Fripp. Here, we take a closer look at the artwork to discover more about this infamous British defeat.

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Keziah Burt sculpting a portrait bust of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Sculpting Elizabeth: A tribute to the Queen’s wartime service

In this video, we speak to figurative artist Keziah Burt about the making of a commemorative portrait bust of Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on Her Majesty's service in the Second World War.

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Explore Art and Literature events

The Battle of the Alma, 20 September 1854

Talk At Museum / Online

6 October 2023, 12.00pm

FREE

Art of the Crimean War

Join Professor Meaghan Clarke as she examines some of the art inspired by the Crimean War, 170 years after the outbreak of the conflict.

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'Shakespeare and War' exhibition graphic

Coming Soon

Exhibition At Museum

6 October 2023 - 31 March 2024

FREE

Shakespeare and War

Explore some of the ways in which Shakespeare has shaped how we think about soldiers and the Army, and how we imagine war and its consequences today.

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Discussion At Museum

18 October 2023, 6.30pm

£5.00

Shakespeare and War: Exhibition and Book Launch

Join us to mark the opening of our new exhibition and the launch of an accompanying book, ‘Shakespeare at War: A Material History’.

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'Peace Celebrations, Indian Troops Marching Down Whitehall' by Dora Meeson, 1919

Talk At Museum / Online

20 October 2023, 12.00pm

FREE

Defying Convention: Women War Artists

Dr Nicole Hartwell explores the fascinating lives and artworks of women war artists in the 19th and 20th centuries.

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Detail from 'The Plumb-Pudding in Danger' a satirical cartoon from 1805

Members Only

26 October 2023

FREE

Shakespeare and War: Members Tour

Join Dr Amy Lidster for an exclusive members-only tour of our latest exhibition, which explores the relationship between Shakespeare and the military experience.

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Workshop At Museum

28 October 2023, 10.00am

£40.00

Calligraphy Workshop

Discover the art of calligraphy in this one-day workshop led by expert Rosana Fulford.

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Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, c1650

Tour At Museum

28 October 2023, 11.00am

£5.00

Curator Tour: Art of the Army at Home

Join curator Anna Lavelle as she highlights a range of stunning artworks in our brand-new permanent gallery, Army at Home.

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Talk At Museum / Online

3 November 2023, 12.00pm

FREE

The Arts and War Propaganda

Join Dr Edward Corse for a fascinating talk examining how the arts have been used during times of war to inform and influence soldiers and civilians.

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Poem embroidered on an unofficial unit flag, c1955

Workshop At Museum

11 November 2023, 1.00pm

£15.00

Poetry Workshop: Remembrance

Join Isabel Palmer for a series of creative poetry exercises that draw on the work of Shakespeare and the theme of Remembrance.

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‘The Territorials at Pozières’, by William Barnes Wollen, 1917

Tour At Museum

11 November 2023, 11.00am

£5.00

Curator Tour: Art of the First World War

Join art curator Anna Lavelle as she explores some of the fascinating artwork on display at the National Army Museum.

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Discussion At Museum

29 November 2023, 6.30pm

£5.00

War on Screen: Napoleon

To mark the release of Ridley Scott’s 'Napoleon', hear from our panel of experts as they discuss how the Napoleonic Wars and its key players have been portrayed on screen.

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