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A night march - Just off

William S. Perry

1886

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Post-Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

A night march - Just off is a 1886 watercolor by William S. Perry, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: William S. Perry
When & what style?: 1886 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows two soldiers in a dark, muddy field at night. One man kneels by a small fire, his hand reaching toward it, while the other stands nearby, holding his helmet and looking down. The scene is painted in muted grays and browns, with the fire’s glow the only bright spot. The artist used quick, loose brushstrokes to suggest movement and exhaustion. The soldiers’ uniforms and the rough terrain feel real, not polished. Look up Perry, William S. to see more of his work on war and daily life.

The story of this work

Overview

A watercolour drawing titled *A Night March - Just Off* by William S. Perry depicts a scene from the British Campaign in Egypt in 1882 or the Nile Expedition of 1884–85, part of a series of 27 works illustrating military operations. The work reflects contemporary accounts and illustrations published in *The Illustrated London News* and *The Graphic* during those years. Comparable sketches by Count Gleichen and O. Norie exist in related collections, and the piece is documented in the Searight Archive.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

William S. Perry

A British watercolour artist active in the 1880s, William S. Perry painted scenes from Egypt’s military outposts in vivid, portable washes. His sheets include Outpost duty at El Gubat. Night. (1886) and Outpost duty at…

See the richer artist page