Who painted Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund?

Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund was painted by Edwin Thomas Dolby in 1854.

Where can I see Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund?

Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund?

Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund?

Museum-quality prints of Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund

Edwin Thomas Dolby , 1854

Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund is a print by the Impressionist artist Edwin Thomas Dolby. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work is a mid‑nineteenth‑century print titled Embarkation of Russian Prisoners at Bomarsund. Produced in 1854, it belongs to Edwin Thomas Dolby’s series Dolby’s Sketches of the Baltic. The image records a moment from the Crimean War, showing the movement of captured Russian soldiers from the fortress of Bomarsund onto a small boat.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a crowded dock where Russian detainees are being loaded onto a vessel under armed guard. Prisoners appear exhausted, some kneeling, others seated, while soldiers with rifles maintain order. The surrounding throng, composed of onlookers and laborers, adds a sense of tension and collective involvement in the wartime episode.

Technique & Style

Dolby employs crisp linear drawing and pronounced chiaroscuro to emphasize the physical strain of the scene. Sharp contours define figures, while deep shadows under the dock and in the storm‑laden sky create a dramatic contrast. The rendering of rough water and a darkened horizon contributes to an atmosphere of unease and controlled chaos.

History & Provenance

Created during the height of the Crimean conflict, the print was part of a broader visual documentation effort by Dolby, who traveled the Baltic to record contemporary events. The series was circulated among British audiences interested in the war’s peripheral theatres, and copies of the print have since entered several public collections documenting 19th‑century war illustration.

Design for the decoration of the inner court of Wallington Hall, Northumberland, William Bell Scott

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Artist & collection

Artist

Edwin Thomas Dolby

Edwin Thomas Dolby painted watercolours of everyday scenes. His work "The Stand for Garrett and Sons, Leiston Works" shows a specific place, Leiston Works. Another piece, "Church Furniture", gives a glimpse into his…