Who painted Battle Scene?

Battle Scene was painted by David Wilkie in 1840.

Where can I see Battle Scene?

Battle Scene is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Battle Scene?

Battle Scene is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Battle Scene?

Museum-quality prints of Battle Scene are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Battle Scene

David Wilkie , 1840

Battle Scene is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist David Wilkie. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in pen and ink: 27 Jany 1840

About this work

Overview

‘Battle Scene’ is a pen-and-ink drawing on wove paper executed by Sir David Wilkie in 1840. Though rendered in monochrome, the work functions as a history piece, depicting a moment of armed conflict through detailed line work.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a battlefield populated with soldiers and cavalry, arranged to convey the chaos and drama of combat. Wilkie’s choice of a single, stark medium underscores the starkness of war and invites close examination of individual gestures.

Technique & Style

Wilkie employed fine pen strokes to model forms and suggest movement, using cross‑hatching to create depth and texture on the smooth surface of wove paper. The drawing reflects his skill in rendering narrative scenes with precise, economical line.

History & Provenance

Created in 1840, the work belongs to the later period of Wilkie’s career, when he turned to historical subjects after his earlier genre paintings. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s estate before entering public collections.