Battle of the Rocking Horse [study for 'The Battle of Religion']
About this artwork
Symbolism was of great interest to Armstrong, and, in the early 1950s, he began to develop his own symbolist vocabulary. This encompassed many of his views and beliefs - relating to mythology, religion, theatre, architecture and politics. These are visible in his series of large ‘battle’ paintings, such as ‘The Battle of Religion’, for which this is a study. An echo of surrealism is also apparent with Armstrong playing on the incongruity of the rocking horse on the battlefield and the figures blindly waving their wooden swords yet failing to clash. In its subject and composition this work is clearly inspired by Uccello’s ‘Battle of San Romano’ in the National Gallery, London.
Updated before 2020
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artist:John Armstrong (1893 - 1973) British
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title:Battle of the Rocking Horse [study for 'The Battle of Religion']
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date created:Dated 1953
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materials:Tempera on paper laid on board
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measurements:31.50 x 41.20 cm; Framed: 44.50 x 54.70 x 2.30 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Bequeathed by Miss Elizabeth Watt 1989
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accession number:GMA 3481
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gallery:
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subject:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
John Armstrong
John Armstrong
Despite a brief spell at St John’s Wood School of Art in London, Armstrong was largely self-taught as an artist. Following service during World War I he became friends with the actress Elsa Lanchester who ran a late-night theatre club. This led to his involvement in stage and costume design. As a...