'Battle of Alma', 20 September 1854

Watercolour by Orlando Norie (1832-1901), 1854.

The Coldstream Guards are shown exchanging fire with Russian Infantry. Orlando Norie's uncle, Frederick Norie, is believed to have accompanied the Sardinian Army to the Crimea, painting a number of military scenes there in 1854-1855. Although Orlando painted a number of Crimean battle scenes, it is thought that he did not travel to the seat of war in the East, but rather based his watercolours on his uncle's sketches. This may account for the 'staged' quality of the picture.