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This is a drawing of a military skirmish. The scene depicts soldiers holding rifles with bayonets attached, in a moment of high tension and action. Soldiers are positioned at various angles, suggesting movement and chaos typical of battle. In the foreground, a soldier is holding a flag, surrounded by fallen comrades. The background shows more soldiers, some mounted, with flags and weapons raised, adding depth and dynamism. The monochrome palette and detailed shading emphasize the dramatic and historical nature of the scene.
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This is a drawing of a military skirmish. The scene depicts soldiers holding rifles with bayonets attached, in a moment of high tension and action. Soldiers are positioned at various angles, suggesting movement and chaos typical of battle. In the foreground, a soldier is holding a flag, surrounded by fallen comrades. The background shows more soldiers, some mounted, with flags and weapons raised, adding depth and dynamism. The monochrome palette and detailed shading emphasize the dramatic and historical nature of the scene.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

Battle Charge

Hammat Billings

Date
1865-1874
Medium
black ink wash with gouache on wove paper
Dimensions
sheet: 33.97 × 52.23 cm (13 3/8 × 20 9/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2015.19.752
Credit line
Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase, Membership Association, 1951)
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CG-W
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • Battle
  • War
  • military
Provenance

(Childs Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts); Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1951; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art

NGA object ID 185012. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.