The Start of the Royal Tournament at Olympia, 1934

Oil on canvas by Charles Gilbert Holiday (1879-1937), 1934.

The Royal Tournament was the world's first and biggest military tattoo, or display. Established in 1880 it ran until 1999 and raised money for various service charities. The public flocked to the Tournament each summer, to marvel at displays of drilling, gymnastics, horsemanship and marching bands.

In this painting, Holiday has captured the excitement of the moment as the Tournament opened with an officer of the Royal Horse Guards riding into the arena. Several of Holiday's paintings were turned into advertising posters for the Tournament. Here he has used bold, swift brushstrokes to convey the restless anticipation of the crowd as the large double gates are swung open and the display begins.