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Ernest Crofts
19th Century historical military oil painting of a French Cuirassier on a horse

1889

About the Item

Ernest Crofts British, (1847-1911) The Search Party Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1889 Image size: 17.5 inches x 13.5 inches Size including frame: 27 inches x 23 inches An excellent historical military painting of a French Cuirassier and other cavalry soldiers by Ernest Crofts. In the foreground, a Cuirassier stands guard on a bay horse with a rifle in his hand. His scabbard, containing his sword or sabre is held on his right side, the end just visible beneath the barrel of the horse. Close by, in the trampled ground beneath the horse’s hooves lies the helmet of a fallen soldier. Another soldier keeps watch on the far right, looking out across the valley from his vantage point on the side of the hill. Meanwhile, to the far left, an officer can be seen scanning the landscape with field glasses. French Cuirassiers were named after the heavy polished iron and brass breast and back plate or cuirass that they wore. This painting is most likely depicting a scene from the Franco-German war which lasted from 1870-1871. The rife in the soldiers hand is similar to the Chassepot, a breech-loading rifle which was invented in 1866 and carried by French soldiers during the war. Ernest Crofts was one of the leading military and historical painters of the late Victorian era. He was born in Leeds on 15 September, 1847 to John and Ellen Crofts (née Wordsworth). His father was a solicitor who also set up a manufacturing business and acted as a local magistrate. His father’s wealth allowed him to attend Rugby School in Warwickshire. After leaving school, he studied art in London under Sir Arthur Bart Clay (1841-1928). However, he became interested in military subjects and decided to move to Dusseldorf in 1870 to study art with the German military artist Emile Hunten (1827-1902). He married Elizabeth Wüsthofen from Dusseldorf in 1872 and a year later their only child, Elizabeth was born. The family lived at Adlerstrasse, Dusseldorf from where he made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1874 with ‘A Retreat: An Episode of the German-French War’. The painting also won him a silver medal the Crystal Palace show during the same year. During the following year he started painting historical military scenes beginning with the Waterloo campaign which he exhibited at the RA. Crofts’s attention to detail extended to building up a large collection of uniforms and accessories as well as visiting the battlefield sites of Waterloo and other wars. He also became interested in the English Civil War, painting many scenes and it was his Royal Academy picture of 1877 ‘Oliver Cromwell at Marston Moor’ that brought him critical acclaim. He returned to England sometime during 1878, where he lived at 58 St Mary’s Terrace, Maida Vale in London. He was elected Associate of the Royal Academy on 19 June, 1878 and full Academician on 20 July 1896. During the 1880’s he kept a studio at Queen’s Road, St Johns Wood and by 1890 had moved to Grove End Road. In 1898, he became Keeper of the Royal Academy, remaining in the post until the year of his death. His position allowed him and his family to live at the Academy’s apartments at Burlington House. His interest in antiques and history also gave rise to his being made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries in 1900. Crofts died in London on 19 March, 1911 at Burlington House and was buried at the Kensal Green Cemetery. Examples of his work are held by Colchester & Ipswich Museums, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Dudley Museum, Leeds Art Gallery, Pannett Art Gallery, Sheffield Museum, Towneley Hall Art Gallery, the Royal Academy of Arts Collections and the Walker Art Gallery. Presentation: The painting is housed in its original gilt frame which is in excellent condition. Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished. © Benton Fine Art
  • Creator:
    Ernest Crofts (1847 - 1911, British)
  • Creation Year:
    1889
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 27 in (68.58 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Nr Broadway, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU156216366472

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