Pharaoh's Army Marching c. 1865 - 1880

Erastus Salisbury Field made this painting of “Pharaoh’s Army Marching,” sometime in the mid-19th century, using oil on canvas. Look closely at the way Field handled the oil paint. Notice how he's built up the form with repeated strokes, layering colour upon colour to create a complex surface texture. But these aren't the deft marks of academic painting. Rather, Field's approach feels direct, even folksy. This wasn't art destined for a palace or a museum, but for someone's home. This directness extends to the subject matter. Field's artistic roots lie in itinerant portraiture, creating likenesses for everyday people. And here, he applies that same accessible approach to a grand, historical theme. It's history painting for the masses, less about technical virtuosity, and more about capturing the essence of a powerful narrative. The way the artist engaged with the materials and processes challenges traditional notions of fine art and craft, opening up new avenues for the appreciation of art's social and cultural significance.