Warley Camp (painting)

Warley Camp
Artist	Philip James de Loutherbourg
Year	1780
Type	Oil on canvas, history painting
Dimensions	120 cm× 184 cm(48 in× 72.3 in)
Location	Royal Collection

Warley Camp is a 1780 painting by the French-born British artist Philip James de Loutherbourg. It is often known as Warley Camp: The Review to distinguish it from its pendant painting The Mock Attack. ^[1]

History and description

It depicts a scene from October 1778 when a British Army encampment took place during the American War of Independence. Following France's entry into the war,. Britain was faced with the prospect of a French Invasion. A large gathering of British troops took place at Warley Common in Essex. George III and his wife Queen Charlotte came to review the assembled troops who then took part in a military exercise. ^[2] In 1804 during the Napoleonic Wars a permanent Warley Barracks was established at the location.

The artist also produced a companion work entitled The Mock Attack

The painter sketched a number of soldiers as preparation for the work. ^[3] The paintings were commissioned by Lieutenant General Richard Pierson who commanded the troops taking part in the mock attack. He presented them both the George III as a gift. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy Exhibition of 1780 at Somerset House and was later hung by the king at Kew Palace. Today the painting remains in the Royal Collection. ^[4]

References

1. Roberts p.189
2. https://www.rct.uk/collection/406349/warley-camp-the-review
3. Franklin p.121
4. https://www.rct.uk/collection/406349/warley-camp-the-review

Bibliography

• Conway, Stephen. The British Army, 1714–1783: An Institutional History. Pen and Sword Military, 2021.
• Franklin, Carl. British Army Uniforms of the American Revolution 1751-1783. Casemate Publishers, 2012.
• Roberts, Jane. George III and Queen Charlotte: Patronage, Collecting and Court Taste. Royal Collection, 2004.