Battles on Canvas

The Death of Major Pierson 1783 John Singleton Copley

English artist John Singleton Copley depicted the incident that occurred in January 1781 when American-allied French soldiers invaded Jersey. They were driven out by British forces led by Major Francis Pierson. Even though the British forces were successful in their defense of Jersey the battle resulted in the death of Major Pierson. In the painting women and children are seen fleeing to safety outside of the city.

The Battle of Trafalgar J.M.W. Turner

English artist J.M.W. Turner depicted in his painting the battle that took place at Trafalgar on October 21, 1805. King George IV commissioned these paintings to decorate three state reception halls at St. James’s Palace in honor of the military successes of the Hanoverian Kingdom. It is presently at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, England.

The Revolt of Cairo Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson

French artist Anne-Louis Girodet de Rosussy-Trioson depicted in her painting the scene when in 1798 the citizens of Cairo, Egypt rose up on October 21st and 22nd to oppose the French occupation of Egypt by Napoleon Bonaparte. After Napoleon invaded Egypt the French capitals of Alexandria and Cairo fell in a year and the inhabitants of Cairo revolted. Discovering that Bonaparte was in Old Cairo locals began arming themselves and reinforcing strategic locations, They took the life of French officer Dominique Dupuy and Bonaparte’s Aide-de-Camp Joseph Sulkowski. In their excitement and anger against the French, they slaughtered any French person they encountered.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps Jacques-Louis David

French artist Jacques-Louis David was one of the most well-known artists of the neo-Classical Period. In this artwork, he pays homage to Napoleon’s legendary march to cross over the Alps. The Alps are considered to be among the most treacherous mountain ranges in the world. Napoleon was able to offer support to his troops by guiding them through tunnels and winding their way around the mountain peaks covered in snow,

The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama 1884 Edouard Manet

French modernist artist Edouard Manet depicted the ships the Kearsarge and the Alabama in action. The painting is a memorial to the 1864 naval battle between the Union cruiser the USS Kearsarge and the Confederate raider the CSS Alabama during the American Civil War, Many onlookers from the French coast saw the USS Kearsarge successfully sink the CSS Alabama. The painter documented the battle based on press accounts. The painting is on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the US.

The Battle of Alexander at Issus Albrecht Altdorfer

German artist Albrecht Altdorfer was a pioneer of landscape art and a founding member of the Danube School, This artwork depicts the decisive victory of Alexander the Great against Darius III of Persia at the Battle of Issus in 333 B.C. This painting was commissioned by Duke William IV of Bavaria for his palace in Munich, Germany.

The Battle of San Romano 1432 Paolo Uccello

Italian artist Paolo Uccello was commissioned by a Florentine Bartolini Salimbeni. The painter depicted the battle between Florentine and Sienese forces shown in a triptych. Each of the egg tempera paintings on oak panels measures over 3 meters in length.

The Surrender of Breda Diego Velazquez

Spanish artist Diego Velazquez was a painter of the Golden Age in the early 17th century. In 1642 the siege of Breda took place during the Eighty Years War which was shown in the film “The Surrender of Breda”. The modern-day Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg were part of the Seventeen Provinces rising up against Philip II of Spain. The conclusion of the battle is shown in the painting making it clear which side was Spanish and which was Dutch. *Breda is located in the Netherlands.

Battle of Cesme at Night Ivan Aivazovsky

Russian marine artist Ivan Aivazovsky depicted on canvas a scene from the battle that occurred at Cesme at night. It shows naval combat between the Russian and Ottoman Empires in 1770 near the port of Cesme, in modern-day Turkey. This artwork is among his best-known paintings. It can be viewed at the Aivazovsky National Art Gallery in Feodosia, Crimea.

American Artists

The Death of General Wolfe 1770 Benjamin West

American artist Benjamin West depicted the conflict that was known as the Seven Years War, It took place between the French and the British for dominion over what were then the colonies possessed by France. The conflict lasted for seven years. During this war, the most significant conflict was the Battle of Quebec in 1759. It ended with the death of British General James Wolfe. The painter created this artwork to honor this conflict, It is considered to be among his most famous artworks from the neo-Classical Period. In the painting, General Wolfe can be seen dying in the arms of his officers but actually, he was murdered by a spray of bullets from French soldiers.