Myth and Reality: Military Art in the Age of Queen Victoria

Free exhibition of over 100 rarely seen artworks exploring military art and attitudes to soldiers during Queen Victoria's reign.

This exhibition at the National Army Museum brings together more than 100 artworks, including paintings, sketchbooks and miniatures, drawn from the museum's own collections alongside major loans from the Royal Collections Trust and the National Portrait Gallery. It charts how military art shaped public attitudes to soldiers and the Army across Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901, from heroic propaganda pieces to more honest depictions of the hardships ordinary soldiers faced. There's a strong focus on Lady Butler, the leading female battle artist of the period, with paintings and sketches tracing her development as an artist who painted not for the glory of war but for its pathos and heroism. It's free to visit and the museum suggests allowing about 60 minutes to see it all. The gallery is on Floor 2 and can be reached via the main lift, so it's accessible for pushchairs and wheelchair users. The exhibition runs until 1 November 2026, giving plenty of time to fit it into a wider visit to the museum in Chelsea.

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