| Painted in
1875.Herkomer was a social realist painter, really a painter with a
social conscience. This picture shows Chelsea Pensioners during a church
service. These pensioners were former non-commissioned soldiers who were
unable to maintain themselves. One old soldier has died, & his
walking stick is slipping from his hands as he slumps forward. Only his
companion, sitting next to him in the pew realises what has happened, at
the moment portrayed by the picture, which is highly finished, &
boldly coloured, though perhaps lacking in individuality |
