Remnants of an Army facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The remnants of an Army, Jellalabad, January 13, 1842 |
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| Remnants of an Army | |
Remnants of an Army.
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| Artist | Elizabeth Thompson |
| Year | 1879 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Movement | Military art |
| Subject | William Brydon |
| Dimensions | 132.1 cm × 233.7 cm (52.0 in × 92.0 in) |
| Location | Tate Britain, London |
The remnants of an army, Jellalabad, January 13, 1842 is a famous painting from 1879. It is also known as Remnants of an Army. The artist was Elizabeth Thompson, Lady Butler. This painting shows a dramatic moment from a war long ago.
It features a lone figure, William Brydon, riding a tired horse. He is arriving at the gates of a city called Jalalabad. This happened in January 1842. The painting captures the feeling of a huge disaster. Brydon was thought to be the only survivor of a large army.
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What Does the Painting Show?
The painting shows a wide, empty plain. The strong walls of Jalalabad city stand tall in the background. Riders from the city's army gallop out. They are rushing to meet the single rider. This rider, Dr. Brydon, is bringing the first news. He tells them what happened to the "Army of Afghanistan."
The Story Behind the Painting
In 1842, a large group of about 16,000 soldiers and helpers were leaving Kabul. This was during the First Anglo-Afghan War. Their journey was very difficult and dangerous. Most of them did not survive.
Dr. William Brydon was an assistant surgeon. He was believed to be the only person to escape this terrible journey. The painting shows him struggling on his last few miles. His horse is exhausted and almost dying. A few other people from the army arrived later. Many more were eventually freed or rescued. They had been held captive by Afghan forces.
About the Artist
Lady Butler painted Remnants of an Army in 1879. At this time, she was becoming very well-known. She was famous for her paintings about military events. Her earlier painting, The Roll Call (1874), was very popular. That painting showed a scene from the Crimean War.
Size of the Painting
This painting is quite large. It measures about 132.1 centimeters (about 52 inches) tall. It is 233.7 centimeters (about 92 inches) wide.
Where You Can See the Painting
Remnants of an Army was first shown in 1879. It was part of the Royal Academy summer exhibition. A man named Sir Henry Tate bought the painting. He later gave it to the Tate Gallery in 1897.
The painting is still owned by the Tate Gallery today. For a long time, it was on display at the Somerset Military Museum. This was because the Somerset Light Infantry regiment was involved in the First Anglo-Afghan War. They were in Jalalabad in late 1841. In 2023, the painting was moved back to Tate Britain in London.
