The artwork, titled “The Sortie Made by the Garrison of Gibraltar,” is an oil painting on canvas, created in 1789 by the artist John Trumbull. This piece is a representative example of the Neoclassical art movement and falls into the genres of history painting and battle painting. The dimensions of the artwork are 180.3 by 271.8 cm, and it is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork vividly portrays a dramatic moment from the Great Siege of Gibraltar, capturing the intensity and turmoil of the battle scene. The painting features a central figure, presumably a commanding officer, who appears to be wounded and is attended to by fellow soldiers. To the left, the tumult of the battle is portrayed with soldiers scrambling over fortifications amidst the chaotic glow of cannon fire and the smoke of battle. The sky, tinged with foreboding hues of orange and dark red, adds to the sense of urgency and conflict. The characters, adorned in detailed military uniforms, are depicted with expressions of determination, urgency, and concern, contributing to the powerful narrative of bravery and sacrifice that Trumbull seeks to convey.
