The Grand Review of the Army on Hounslow Heath

Willem van de Velde the Elder (1611 - 1693)

National Army Museum

1687-1689

This is an eye-witness record of one of the earliest formal musterings of the British Army led by James II, attended by the King and Court. It was an overt demonstration of the power behind the monarchy, as James had raised an army four times larger than his brother's, King Charles II. The reviews on Hounslow Heath were the last occasions on which a British monarch was able to demonstrate his absolute control of the Army without Parliamentary authority.

• Medium: sepia pen & ink with blue-grey wash
• Dimensions: 30.1 x 87.5cm
• Art Fund Grant: £42500 ( Total: £110,000)
• ArtFunded in: 2002
• Vendor: Lane Fine Art

Provenance

Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo by late 18th century; Christie's; private collection; Lane Fine Art.

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