Their Finest Hour

On January 22, 1879, the Zulu army, some twenty-three thousand strong, soundly defeated the Bitish army at the base of a mountain named Isandlwana. Within a matter of a few hours, the British lost eighteen hundred men. This figure consisted of twelve hundred Imperial troops and six hundred Natal native contigingents. Although this was the first of many engagements and the British would ultimately win "The Zulu war", they never quite recovered from this resounding defeat.

On that same day and throughout the night of the 22nd of January, approximately one hundred forty British troops held off countless attacks by literally thousands of Zulu warriors at a river crossing ten miles away called Rorke's Drift. This stand-off battle was somewhat of a bittersweet victory after the devastating events at Isandlwana. Eleven Victoria Crosses, England's highest honor, were won at Rorke's Drift.

The painting depicts the battle at Rorke's Drift in full swing. The hospital has been set afire and the garrison is being attacked from all sides.

In the smoke and haze are emerging portraits of Lts. Bromhead (left) and Chard (commanding officer) with the symbolic painting of the Victoria Cross between them.
Limited Edition
580 signed and numbered
58 artist proofs (Special Edition)
Image size - 32x16 with ample margins
 
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