Subject: knight, man-at-arms

Culture: English

Setting: Wars of the Roses, England mid-late 15thc

Manchester Art Gallery > Whose Power on Display? *

"'Onward' 1890 Sir John Gilbert 1817-1897 Oil on canvas

Gilbert's painting of a valiant medieval knight urging his men on to battle does not relate to a particular historic event.

It was painted to appeal to the Victorian audience and their love of the middle ages, imagined by them as a period of heroism and chivalry.

"Gilbert was well known as a book illustrator who worked quickly to capture the drama of a scene. One reviewer wrote of Onward:

'It is so admirable a piece of colour, so full of martial fire that the visitor may forgive the loose draughtsmanship

and questionable proportions of the horse and man.'" ...

* Manchester Art Gallery > Myth, Dream and Reality: The Human Form 1700-1920

"The Earl of Warwick's Vow Previous to the Battle of Towton 1797 Henry Tresham 1751-1814 Oil on canvas

The main figure is Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, who backed the Duke of York in the War of the Roses.

He was nicknamed 'Warwick the King-maker' for his role in the Battle of Towton in 1461.

This action saw the House of Lancaster defeated and the Duke of York crowned as King Edward IV.

"Neville is seen in full armour, with sword drawn. He vows to fight to the death,

and in a bloody demonstration of his resolution is here shown about to kill his horse so he cannot quit the field.

"Robert Bowyer, the miniaturist and print publisher, showed The Earl of Warwick's Vow in his 'Historic Gallery' in Pall Mall, London.

He also produced an engraving of the painting to illustrate David Hume's History of England.

"The Irish artist Tresham specialized in the Grand Manner, a style of narrative painting influenced by Italian art,

and showed 33 history paintings at the Royal Academy." ...