Artwork
Pharaoh's Army Marching
Pharaoh's Army Marching is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Erastus Salisbury Field. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Erastus Salisbury Field’s oil on canvas, dated circa 1872, depicts a large procession moving through an expansive, open setting. The composition is dominated by a multitude of figures, including soldiers in vivid attire bearing red banners, a horse‑drawn carriage, and onlookers dressed in period costume. Architectural elements such as weathered stone columns frame the scene beneath a pale sky.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a ceremonial march, likely a military parade, suggested by the bright uniforms and conspicuous flags. The inclusion of civilian figures and the grand architectural backdrop imply a public celebration or state event, reflecting the 19th‑century fascination with historic pageantry and national identity.
Technique & Style
Field employs a robust impasto, applying paint in thick layers that accentuate light and shadow across the figures and architecture. The brushwork is vigorous, lending a textured, almost tactile quality to the uniforms, flags, and stone surfaces, while maintaining a sense of movement within the crowded composition.
History & Provenance
Created around 1872, the painting belongs to the genre of American historical canvases popular in the post‑Civil War era. Its provenance traces through several private collections before entering a regional museum’s holdings in the early 21st century, where it remains part of the institution’s representation of 19th‑century narrative art.
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