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Photographic Print : Our ?Little Contemptibles?, 1914
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Our ?Little Contemptibles?, 1914
Our ?Little Contemptibles?, 1914.Oil on canvas by William Barns Wollen (1857-1936), 1918 (c); exhibited at the Royal Academy 1918 (No 260).Composed of regular soldiers and reservists, the British Expeditionary Force landed on the Continent in August in 1914. During the early months of World War One (1914-1918) it was engaged in slowing down the German advance. This painting depicts open warfare with British infantry wearing large packs, taking cover behind a hedge; German artillery in the distance. The British Army?s experiences in the Boer War (1899-1902) had resulted in major reforms in organization, administration, tactics, weapons and equipment. Introduced in 1906, the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle, shown in this painting, enabled troops to produce very rapid, accurate fire. Infantry training now placed more emphasis on the ability to shoot straight and fast, and on mobility. These professional soldiers, drilled in new methods of attack, defence, and withdrawal, were taught to take greater advantage of cover.The title of the canvas relates to an order given by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany (1859 -1941) to the commander of his First Army, Alexander von Kluck (1846-1934), in August, 1914:- ?It is my Royal and Imperial Command that you concentrate your energies? and all the valour of my soldiers to exterminate first the treacherous English; walk over General Frenchs insignificant [or contemptible] little Army. In fact the German advance was checked, and the men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who survived these heavy engagements proudly adopted the ironic title, ?The Old Contemptibles?. These men who served between the outbreak of war and midnight on 22 November 1914 were awarded the 1914 Star.In the 1880s, the artist, William Barns Wollen, served in the 20th (Artists?) Volunteer Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort?s Own), popularly known as the Artists? Rifles. Date: 1914
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Media ID 14395088
© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library
1857 Academy Barns Composed Contemptibles Continent Exhibited Expeditionary Landed Months Regular Reservists Wollen 1936
15"x10" (37.5x25cm) Poster
Introducing the Media Storehouse range of Photographic Prints featuring "Our 'Little Contemptibles', 1914" by William Barns-Wallen. This evocative oil painting, sourced from Mary Evans Prints Online, captures the spirit of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) during the early days of World War I. Composed of regular soldiers and reservists, the image affectionately nicknamed the "Little Contemptibles" portrays the determination and resilience of these ordinary men as they prepared to face the challenges of the battlefield. This timeless piece of military history is now available as a high-quality photographic print, perfect for adding depth and character to your home or office decor. Celebrate the bravery and tenacity of the BEF with this exquisitely detailed and captivating reproduction. Order your Media Storehouse Photographic Print of "Our 'Little Contemptibles', 1914" today and bring a piece of history into your space.
High-quality poster prints are available in a range of sizes and are printed on 270 gsm semi-glossy silk finish poster paper. An affordable option for decorating any space, they are perfect for fixing straight onto walls. To ensure your poster arrives in good condition, we roll and send them in strong mailing tubes.
Our Photo Prints are in a large range of sizes and are printed on Archival Quality Paper for excellent colour reproduction and longevity. They are ideal for framing (our Framed Prints use these) at a reasonable cost. Alternatives include cheaper Poster Prints and higher quality Fine Art Paper, the choice of which is largely dependant on your budget.
Estimated Image Size (if not cropped) is 37.5cm x 20.3cm (14.8" x 8")
Estimated Product Size is 37.5cm x 25cm (14.8" x 9.8")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) orientation to match the source image.
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Our 'Little Contemptibles': A Testament to British Resilience in the Early Months of World War One William Barns Wollen's oil painting, 'Our 'Little Contemptibles' (1918), captures a pivotal moment in the early history of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) during World War One. The painting depicts British infantry taking cover behind a hedge as German artillery fires in the distance. This scene represents the slowing down of the German advance during the opening months of the war. The BEF, comprised of regular soldiers and reservists, had landed on the Continent in August 1914. Their experiences in the Boer War had led to significant reforms in organization, administration, tactics, weapons, and equipment. The introduction of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle in 1906 allowed for rapid, accurate fire, while infantry training emphasized shooting skills and mobility. The title of the painting refers to an order given by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany to his First Army commander, Alexander von Kluck, in August 1914: "It is my Royal and Imperial Command that you concentrate your energies and all the valour of my soldiers to exterminate first the treacherous English; walk over General French's insignificant [or contemptible] little Army." However, the German advance was checked, and the British and Indian forces who survived these heavy engagements proudly adopted the ironic title, 'The Old Contemptibles.' These soldiers, who served between the outbreak of war and midnight on 22 November 1914, were later awarded the 1914 Star. William Barns Wollen, who served in the 20th (Artists?) Volunteer Battalion, The Rifle Brigade in the 1880s, masterfully captures the spirit and determination of these soldiers in this powerful and poignant painting.
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