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Military Art by the
Great British Victorian Military
Painter Robert Gibb, published by Cranston Fine arts, from paintings owned
by British regiments and Art Galleries between 1989 and 1994.
[ British Empire ]
Robert Gibb Following his schooling in Edinburgh
where he demonstrated early skills with the pencil, he began to attend drawing
classes at the Board of Manufacturers' School and the Life School of the Royal
Scottish Academy. It was at the Academy that the 25 year-old artist exhibited
his first painting in 1867 - an Arran landscape. This would be the first of no
fewer than 143 paintings by him exhibited at the RSA during his lifetime.
However, it was not landscapes that he was to make his reputation but with
figure studies, and some of his earliest work focused on great events in his
nation's history, 1874 saw his painting of "Columba in sight of Iona"
followed two years later by "The Death of Columba". His early interest in pictures illustrating Scottish history and portraits of
eminent men gave way to a focus on military themes particularly depicting the
Scottish soldier in battle. In 1887, his first military picture, Comrades, was
exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA). Gibb had been studying the life
of Naopleon and had made a sketch of the retreat from Moscow. On seeing the
group of three soldiers in the foreground, one of whom had fallen in the snow, a
colleague suggested that this vignette would make a suitable subject for a
composition. The result was Comrades, where a young soldier whispers his last
message to a comrade who comforts him amidst the snow in the Crimea, both being
guarded by a stalwart highlander. The following year, Gibb exhibited a finished
picture slightly modified of the The Retreat from Moscow. This work was
transposing the Scottish soldiers with Napoleonic figures. Behind the column of
French soldiers trudge wearily through the snow into the distance. A similar
picture to Comrades was his 1884 piece, Schoolmates depicting two highland
officers in the heat of battle, one falling wounded into the arms of the other.
Perhaps his greatest work appeared in 1881. Entitled The Thin Red Line, it was
inspired by Alexander Kinglake's account of the 93rd Highlanders at Balaclava in
his book The Invasion of the Crimea. Gibb had taken a walking holiday in the
English Peak District and reading Kinglake's book, and while out walking near
Haddon Hall, he glanced up to a slight rise and imagined that he saw a line of
highlanders "all plaided and plumed in their tartan array," He quickly
returned to his lodgings and sketched his mental image. The result was one of
the finest military paintings of the nineteenth century. The picture represents
a line of 93rd Highlanders stretching along a slight rise as Russian cavalry
come into view. It was a great success causing much excitement at the Academy
exhibition and it earned for its creator full membership of that renowned body
in February 1882. As one reviewer wrote, "The features of the men and the
incidents of the scene are given with competent detail, yet the picture
generally is touched in a free and broad manner; and while the actual horrors of
war are not prominent, the strained attention of the troops, and the few
incidents on the right or Russian side of the picture, give the scene all the
intensity it requires. The picture was shown at the Royal Academy the following
year and thereafter became the property of Archibald Ramsden who also acquired
several of Gibb's other important military paintings. Following the death of
Ramsden it was sold at Christie's on February 1, 1917 to Sir Thomas Dewar for
L882 although representatives of the regiment also bid on it. Kinglake's history also provided the source for Alma: Advance of the 42nd
Highlanders which was exhibited in 1889. The author described how Sir Colin
Campbell at the head of the 42nd rode up to the regiment and uttered the
following "Forward, 42nd!" This painting was based on details provided
by Colonel Sir Peter Arthur Halkett, who carried the Queen's colour in the Alma
and represented Lieutenant Colonel Sir Duncan Alexander Cameron who commanded
the 42nd and Sir Colin Campbell on horseback urging on another "thin red
line" up the height of the Alma toward the distant enemy, although Gibb did
include two dead and one wounded Russian in the left foreground for effect. The
final picture of Gibb's Crimean scene was Saving the Colours: The Guards at
Inkerman, which was painted at a temporary studio set up on the slopes of the
Pentland Hills, although his 1885 canvas, Letters from Home (now destroyed) also
takes as its subject a scene in the Crimea with two officers in studio built to
achieve the appropriate effect, soldiers from the Edinburgh garrison were
brought to the site to serve as models. One wonders whether the Pentland Hills
also served as the inspiration for the heights of Alma in his earlier work. The
finished canvas depicted Lieutenant H.W. Verschoyle holding proudly aloft the
battered flag of his regiment while the Duke of Cambridge can be seen in the
right background welcoming the Guards.
Throughout the last decade of the nineteenth century, Gibb continued to paint
portraits of important Scotsmen particularly clerics and academics but his
reputation was built on his military paintings. He returned to war for his 1903
painting Hougoumont, 1815 which turned out to be his last retrospective military
scene. Following the battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington had written
"the success of the battle of Waterloo turned upon the closing of the gates
of Hougoumont," a chateau situated on the west end of a low ridge that ran
across the battlefield. The building was also in front of Wellington's right. At
11.30 a.m. on the morning of the 18th June 1815, the French attacked La
Hougoumont but the garrison held on. The painting represented Colonel Macdonell,
Lieutenant Colonel Wyndham, Ensigns Harvey and Gooch, Sergeant Graham and
Corporal Graham all of the Coldstream Guards, and Sergeants Fraser, Bryce,
McGregor and Alston, and Private Lister of the Third Guards in the act of
closing the gate against the onrushing French.
Gibb thereafter focused on the contemporary military events, with Dargai,
October 20, 1897 painted in 1909 the year after he became His Majesty's Painter
and Limner for Scotland, and two pictures from the Great War. With Dargai, Gibb
again represented soldiers at the most critical point in battle, in this case,
the dash of the Gordon Highlanders across the fire-swept zone below the heights
of Dargai. For the next eight years, the artist did not paint a single military
scene, preferring instead the secure income from portrait painting sprinkled
with a few scenes from Italy and Egypt where he had spent several months
sketching in 1911. Even the outbreak of war in 1914 did not stir the 68 year-old
artist to commit to canvas images of battle, although he did venture back into
the subject with his Communion at the Front shown in 1917 so that it could be
presented to the British Red Cross Society for an art sale to benefit their war
work. However, it was to be another 12 years before his final military picture
appeared. In Backs to the Wall, 1918 the artist relied on his well and trusted
compositional effect of a line of soldiers at the critical moment, in this case
a line of khaki-clad Scottish troops standing defiantly, bayonet at the ready. Gibb died at his residence in Edinburgh in 1932. Tributes poured in,
particularly from his colleagues at the Royal Scottish Academy where he had
devoted so much of his time including his 12 year as keeper. But today he is
remembered for his stirring battle scenes however anachronistic they may be, in
which he demonstrated his concern with soldiers at the moment of their greatest
trial, Peter Harrington
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The Thin Red Line by Robert Gibb.
There is no retreat from here, men! said General Sir Colin Campbell (who at that moment may have said to have commanded the regiment in person) as he cantered along the front of the 93rd You must die where you stand To which some of the Highlanders replied cheerily Ay Ay, Sir Colin if needs be well do that.
Nearer and nearer the Russian Squadrons approached - the ground trembling beneath their horses feet, and gathering speed at every stride, they galloped on towards that thin red streak, topped with steel the Sutherland Highlanders awaited the onslaught of the enemys horsemen in line, without a movement in their ranks. I would not even form four deep! was the reply of Sir Colin, when remonstrated with for giving the Russians such a chance. Cool as if on Birthday parade The Sutherlands stood until their foes were within 600 yards, then down on their knees they dropped the front rank, and delivered a steady volley. But the distance was too great, and, though a few saddles were emptied, the Russians pressed forward unchecked. On they rode, till scarcely 200 yards separated them from the intrepid Highlanders. When the rear rank brought their Minies to the present and over the heads of their kneeling comrades pourd a withering fire into the enemys masses.
Shaken to their very centre, the Russian Squadrons fell back, but, encouraged by their gallant leaders, they determined to make one last bid for victory, and wheeling around, endeavored to turn the Highlanders right flank. here they were checkmated by the grenadier Company, which received the charge with such a volley, that the Russians went Files about and scampered off to seek the shelter of their guns.
Open edition print. Size 30in x 15in (76cm x 38cm) . Price £45.00
Open edition print. Image size 22 inches x 13 inches (56cm x 33cm). Price £38.00
Card size 6 inches x 4 inches and image size 5.5 inches x 3 inches. Price £2.00
ITEM CODE DHM0065
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Alma Forward the 42nd by Robert Gibb.
The Black Watch advance up the slopes of the hills overlooking the River Alma, defeating the Russian defenders. A British Victory in the Crimean Campaign.
Open edition print. Image size 30 inches x 18 inches (76cm x 46cm). Price £45.00
Open edition print. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £38.00
ITEM CODE DHM0012
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Comrades by Robert Gibb.
A dying soldier of the Black Watch is supported by his comrade, while another stands to protect them, as the ranks of the Highlanders march on, after the battles at Sebastopol during the Crimean war.
Open edition print. Image size 25 inches x 16 inches (64cm x 41cm). Price £45.00
Limited edition of 200 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £500.00
Limited edition of 200 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £390.00
ITEM CODE DHM0431
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Comrades by Robert Gibb.
A dying soldier of the Black Watch is supported by his comrade, while another stands to protect them, as the ranks of the Highlanders march on, after the battles at Sebastopol during the Crimean war.
Open edition print. Special Promotion : This print is 30% off for a limited time only! Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £31.92
ITEM CODE DHM0017
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Letters from Home by Robert Gibb.
Sutherland Highlander Officers, are shown in camp, reading letters from home, during the Crimean war.
Open edition print. Image size 15 inches x 24 inches (38cm x 61cm). Price £38.00
Open edition print. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm). Price £13.00
ITEM CODE DHM0498
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The Guards at Inkerman, November 5th 1854 by Robert Gibb.
Open edition reprint. Image size 9 inches x 12 inches (23cm x 31cm). Price £13.00
Original antique print published 1915. Paper size 10.5 inches x 7.5 inches (26cm x 19cm). Price £25.00
ITEM CODE VAR0701
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Hougoumont by Robert Gibb.
Showing the 1st Foot Guards and The Coldstream Guards struggling to close the gates at Hougoumont Farm against the Heavy French forces at the Height of the the battle of waterloo. During the Battle of waterloo the 1st Foot Guards and the Coldstream Guards losses were as follows. 1st Foot Guards, 125 Killed, 352 Wounded, and the Coldstream Guards losses, were 97 killed and 446 wounded and four missing.
Open edition print. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £45.00
Open edition print. Image size 21 inches x 15 inches (53cm x 38cm). Price £38.00
ITEM CODE DHM0058
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Backs to the Wall by Robert Gibb.
This painting was inspired by Sir Douglas Haigs order to his troops at the time of the great German offensive. Note the ghostly images of the dead comrades above the soldiers heads. This was Gibbs final battle scene, painted when he was in his eighties.
Open edition print. Image size 24 inches x 14 inches (61cm x 36cm). Price £38.00
Open edition print. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm). Price £13.00
ITEM CODE DHM0440
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| The Thin Red Line by Robert Gibb
"There is no retreat from here, men!" said General Sir Colin
Campbell (who at that moment may have said to have commanded the regiment
in person) as he cantered along the front of the 93rd "You must die
where you stand" To which some of the Highlanders replied cheerily
"Ay Ay, Sir Colin if needs be we'll do that".
Nearer and nearer the Russian Squadrons approached - the ground
trembling beneath their horses feet; and gathering speed at every stride,
they galloped on towards that thin red streak, topped with
steel" the Sutherland Highlanders awaited the onslaught
of the enemy's horsemen in line, without a movement in their ranks.
"I would not even form four deep1" was the reply of Sir
Colin, when remonstrated with for giving the Russians such a chance. Cool
as if on "Birthday parade" The Sutherland s stood until their
foes were within 600 yards; then down on their knees they dropped the
front rank, and delivered a steady volley. But the distance was too great,
and, though a few saddles were emptied, the Russians pressed forward
unchecked. On they rode, till scarcely 200 yards separated them from the
intrepid Highlanders; When the rear rank brought their "Minies"
to the "present" and over the heads of their kneeling comrades
pourd a withering fire into the enemy's masses.
Shaken to their very centre, the Russian Squadrons fell back, but,
encouraged by their gallant leaders, they determined to make one last bid
for victory, and wheeling around, endeavored to turn the Highlanders
right flank. here they were checkmated by the grenadier Company, which
received the charge with such a volley, that the Russians went "Files
about" and scampered off to seek the shelter of their guns. Alma Forward the 42nd by Robert
Gibb, The
Black Watch advance up the slopes of the hills overlooking the River Alma,
defeating the Russian defenders. A British Victory in the Crimean
Campaign. Comrades by Robert Gibb. A dying soldier of
the Black Watch is supported by his comrade, while another stands to
protect them, as the ranks of the Highlanders march on, after the battles
at Sebastopol during the Crimean war.
Letters
from Home by Robert Gibb Sutherland Highlander Officers, are shown in camp, reading letters from
home, during the Crimean war. Hougoumont by Robert Gibb.
Showing
the 1st Foot Guards and The Coldstream Guards struggling to close the
gates at Hougoumont Farm against the Heavy French forces at the Height of
the the battle of waterloo. During the Battle of waterloo the 1st Foot
Guards and the Coldstream Guards losses were as follows. 1st Foot Guards,
125 Killed, 352 Wounded, and the Coldstream Guards losses, were 97 killed
and 446 wounded and four missing. Dargai
by Robert Gibb The 1st Gordon Highlanders about to take the heights of
Dargai which were held by the Afridis. During the engagement on the 20th October
1897, the regiment lost three Officers and thirty men.
Backs to the Wall by Robert Gibb
This painting was inspired by Sir Douglas Haig's
order to his troops at the time of the great German offensive. Note the
ghostly images of the dead comrades above the soldier's heads. This was
Gibb's final battle scene, painted when he was in his eighties.
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