Offered here is "Finding Melvill & Coghill" Clash of Empires Exhibition Artefact Painting By Ethan Burkett, Artist-in-Residence. The canvas is 13cm x 18cm and executed entirely on-location at the Clash of Empires Exhibition in London, July 2023.
The painting is an artistic interpretation of one of the exhibition's artefacts (pictured with this listing) - featured in Chapter 4 of the exhibition, a chromolithograph: ‘The Last Sleep of the Brave’ depicts the discovery of the bodies of Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill after iSandlwana. In fact the image is heavily romanticised in accordance with Victorian concepts of death in battle. In reality, Melvill and Coghill had been dead for a fortnight when found, and their bodies were not lying protectively across one another, but a few yards apart - nor were they lying close to the river-bank, but high up on the slope of the valley. The 17th Lancers, depicted in the piece, had not yet arrived in southern Africa, and perhaps most significantly Melvill had lost the Colour when crossing the river and it was discovered in the water, not near the bodies. Furthermore the artist had depicted the Regimental Colour of the 1/24th, rather than the Queen’s Colour which Melvill had, in fact, attempted to save.
Ethan will sign and inscribe the painting for the buyer.
All proceeds from the sale of this painting benefit the Clash of Empires Exhibition and the exhibition's host museum/charity, The Royal Philatelic Society London.
About The Artist - A current student at University of Arts London, Ethan Burkett has been immersed in self-directed study of military history for over ten years. Bringing his curious mind, eye for detail and nuance along with considerable artistic skill, Ethan is honoured to be part of the Clash of Empires Exhibition as the Artist-in-Residence.
