Elizabeth Thompson

Key facts

Lived

1846–1933^[1]

Wikipedia

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• What is Elizabeth Thompson known for?+

  Elizabeth Thompson is known for producing military paintings that captivated the nation. Her painting, "The Roll Call", was so popular that a policeman had to be stationed in front of it at the Royal Academy in 1874^[1]. She focused on ordinary soldiers, rather than commanders and battlefield glory.
• What is Elizabeth Thompson's most famous work?+

  Elizabeth Thompson, later Lady Butler, is best known for her military paintings, particularly those depicting British soldiers. Her most famous work is generally considered to be *The Roll Call* (1874^[1]), sometimes known as *Calling the Roll After an Engagement, Crimea*. The painting depicts a line of Grenadier Guards after a battle during the Crimean War (1854-1856^[1]). An officer on horseback reads out the names of the soldiers, many of whom are wounded or exhausted. Thompson researched the details of the uniforms and equipment carefully, aiming for accuracy. *The Roll Call* was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1874 and was an immediate success. Queen Victoria purchased the painting, and it became one of the most popular images of the Victorian era. Its appeal lay in its realistic portrayal of the hardships of war, combined with a sense of British heroism. Other notable works by Thompson include *Scotland Forever!* (1881), showing the charge of the Royal Scots Greys at Waterloo, and *The Defence of Rorke's Drift* (1880), depicting a famous battle of the Zulu War.
• What should I know about Elizabeth Thompson's prints?+

  Elizabeth Thompson (1846^[1]-1933^[1]), later Lady Butler, was a British painter who specialised in military subjects. Prints of her paintings were popular during her lifetime, and remain so today. Thompson gained widespread recognition in 1874^[1] with her painting *The Roll Call*, depicting the aftermath of a battle during the Crimean War. This work, and others like *Scotland Forever!* (1881), captured the public imagination and were widely reproduced as prints. These prints allowed a broader audience to engage with her art. Her paintings often portray the human drama of warfare, focusing on the experiences of soldiers. Thompson's attention to detail and her ability to convey emotion contributed to the popularity of her prints. They offered a glimpse into military life and historical events. They also reflected a sense of British national pride. Prints of Thompson's work were produced using various methods, including engraving and chromolithography. These techniques allowed for the mass production of affordable reproductions. These prints found their way into homes and public spaces, further solidifying Thompson's reputation as a leading artist of her time.
• What style or movement did Elizabeth Thompson belong to?+

  Elizabeth Thompson (Lady Butler) was a painter of British history and military scenes, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her work does not fit neatly into a single movement, but it can be associated with several tendencies. She is often linked to the academic tradition, because of her careful attention to detail, accurate depictions of uniforms and equipment, and dramatic narrative compositions, all traits favoured by the Royal Academy. However, her focus on the common soldier, and her attempts to convey the emotional and psychological realities of warfare, also connect her to a broader current of realism that was emerging at the time. Some have seen a proto-cinematic quality in her work, because of her ability to capture movement and freeze a moment in time. Others have noted a romantic element in her vision of warfare, despite the realism of her technique. She remains difficult to categorise, because of the combination of academic skill, realistic observation, and dramatic sensibility in her paintings.
• What techniques or materials did Elizabeth Thompson use?+

  Elizabeth Thompson, later Lady Butler, was known for her military paintings. She worked primarily in oils on canvas. Her technique involved careful attention to detail, particularly in the depiction of horses and soldiers. Thompson often made preparatory sketches. These studies allowed her to work out compositions and anatomical accuracy before starting on the final painting. She sometimes used photographs as reference material, a common practice among artists of her time. Thompson aimed for realism in her battle scenes. Her painting *The Roll Call* (1874^[1]), which depicts the aftermath of a battle, shows her skill in rendering individual figures within a large group. The work was a sensation at the Royal Academy exhibition. Another of her well-known paintings, *Scotland Forever!* (1881), captures the charge of the Royal Scots Greys at Waterloo. This piece illustrates her ability to convey movement and energy on a large scale. Thompson's use of colour and light contributed to the dramatic effect of her military subjects.
• What was Elizabeth Thompson known for?+

  Elizabeth Thompson (1846^[1]-1933^[1]), later Lady Butler, gained admiration for her paintings of military scenes. She studied at the Female School of Art in London, then in Florence with Giuseppe Bellucci, and at the Accademia di Belle Arti. A viewing of Ernest Meissonier's work in Paris prompted her to shift from religious subjects to depictions of war. Thompson specialised in scenes from British military campaigns, including the Crimean War and the Franco-Prussian War. Her painting *Scotland Forever!*, depicting the charge of the Royal North British Dragoons (Scots Greys) at Waterloo, is among her most recognised works. The painting's popularity led to queues outside the Royal Academy when it was exhibited. Thompson's paintings created a sensation, partly because she was a woman working in a traditionally masculine genre. Her approach was unique, conveying energy and lifelike action. In 1877^[1], she married Lieutenant General Sir William Butler. Although she never witnessed a battle directly, she observed and sketched his regiment during training. Thompson stated that she never painted for the glory of war, but to portray its pathos and heroism.
• When did Elizabeth Thompson live and work?+

  Elizabeth Thompson (Lady Butler) was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1846^[1]. She was the daughter of Thomas James Thompson and Christiana Weller Parkinson. Thompson trained as an artist in London, at the South Kensington School of Art. Later, she studied in Florence. Thompson became a celebrated painter of military subjects, particularly scenes from British campaigns. Her paintings include *The Roll Call* (1874^[1]), *Quatre Bras* (1875), and *Scotland Forever!* (1881). These works brought her considerable public attention and critical recognition. She married Sir William Butler, a British Army officer, in 1877. As a result, she travelled extensively with him, living in various parts of the British Empire. Thompson continued to paint and exhibit throughout her life. Elizabeth Thompson died in 1933^[1], at the age of 86.
• Where can I see Elizabeth Thompson's work?+

  Many of Elizabeth Thompson's paintings are held in British public collections, especially those relating to military history. The National Army Museum in London holds several significant works, including "Balaclava" (1876^[1]) and "Inkerman" (1877). These paintings depict scenes from the Crimean War, reflecting her interest in military subjects and historical accuracy. Another version of "Balaclava", a smaller oil sketch, is in the collection of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter. The Royal Collection Trust holds "The Roll Call" (1874), also known as "Calling the Roll After an Engagement, Crimea". This painting brought Thompson widespread public recognition when it was exhibited at the Royal Academy. Other works can be found at institutions such as the Tate Britain, which holds "Scotland for Ever!" (1881), depicting the charge of the Royal Scots Greys at Waterloo. The Guildhall Art Gallery in London has "Floreat Etona!" (1882), showing Eton College boys cheering a military charge. Outside of London, the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool holds "Steady the Drums and Fifes" (1878). These various locations offer opportunities to view Thompson's paintings and study her approach to representing military subjects.
• Where was Elizabeth Thompson from?+

  Elizabeth Thompson, later Lady Butler, was born in Lausanne, Switzerland. Her parents were British; her father, Thomas James Thompson, worked in Parliament. The family travelled extensively on the continent during Thompson's childhood, especially in Italy. Thompson received art instruction in Florence, where the family resided. She also studied at the South Kensington School of Art in London. Her early artistic education thus occurred in both Italy and Britain. Thompson's upbringing and education exposed her to diverse cultural influences. These experiences shaped her artistic sensibilities and contributed to her focus on historical and military subjects. Her connection to Britain remained strong, despite her international upbringing, as demonstrated by her choice of subject matter and later career.
• Who did Elizabeth Thompson influence?+

  Elizabeth Thompson, later Lady Butler (1846^[1]-1933^[1]), achieved considerable success as a painter of military subjects. Although she broke barriers as a woman artist in a male-dominated field, her direct artistic influence is difficult to trace. Butler's paintings, such as *Scotland Forever!* (1881^[1]), were immensely popular and widely reproduced. This popularity led to many imitators, but these were mostly commercial artists hoping to capitalise on the market for military scenes. Few serious artists followed her style. Later female artists owe a debt to Butler's example, as she proved that women could achieve fame and fortune painting subjects outside the traditional domestic sphere. However, her impact was more on the public perception of women artists than on the development of a school of painting. Her meticulous realism and focus on anecdotal detail were not widely adopted by later generations of artists. Her success opened doors; it did not necessarily dictate the path others would take.
• Who influenced Elizabeth Thompson?+

  Elizabeth Thompson (Lady Butler) admired battle painters such as Horace Vernet and Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet. These French artists were known for their dramatic and detailed depictions of military subjects. Thompson also studied the work of Rosa Bonheur, an animal painter. Bonheur's success as a woman artist likely provided inspiration. Thompson's early artistic education in Florence also exposed her to the Old Masters. She copied paintings by artists like Titian and Rubens, developing her technical skills. Her husband, Sir William Butler, was an author and military officer. His experiences and perspectives likely shaped her understanding of warfare, informing her compositions. While direct influences are difficult to pinpoint precisely, these artists and figures all contributed to the development of Thompson's artistic style and subject matter.
• Who was Elizabeth Thompson?+

  Elizabeth Eleanor Siddal (1829-1862^[1]), often called Lizzie, was an English artist, illustrator, and poet. Although only a few of her works survive, she produced many more pictures in her short life than are known about today. Some of her works are documented or photographed, even if the originals do not survive, but many have been lost, destroyed, or forgotten. Siddal's first artistic success occurred while Rossetti was in Newcastle. Alone in Chatham Place, she thrived, and with Rossetti's art materials to hand, she chose to do something different from genre painting. Instead of recreating a scene from someone else’s imagination, she decided to take her art in a new direction and attempt to paint a self-portrait, in oils. When Rossetti returned to the studio, he was impressed by how good the oil painting was and suggested sending it to the Royal Academy for the Winter Exhibition, a plan that did not reach fruition. Around this time, Siddal also devised designs to illustrate "St Agnes’ Eve", a poem by Tennyson. In 1857^[1], she painted *The Ladies’ Lament*, from the ballad “Sir Patrick Spens”, basing the background on the picturesque coastline of Clevedon. Her command of drawing the female form is not as marked in this painting as it is in drawings such as *Pippa Passes*, suggesting she found the art of painting her sketches quite troublesome.