“Roll Call,” created by Elizabeth Thompson in 1874, is a battle painting situated within the Romanticism and Social Realism art movements. This artwork vividly encapsulates a scene imbued with the somber realities of warfare.
In the artwork, a host of weary soldiers gathers in a desolate, snow-covered field. They stand in disarray, some leaning on their rifles for support while others support their wounded comrades. A mounted officer observes them, their presence lending a solemnity to the scene. The soldiers appear fatigued and dispirited, evoking empathy and solemn reflection upon the harsh conditions of war. Shadows and muted colors underscore the painting’s somber tone. The expansive sky, filled with faint birds, enhances the overarching theme of desolation and fatigue, painting a poignant picture of human endurance in the face of adversity.
