With all their banners bravely spread John Gilbert (1817-1897)

The composition presents a chaotic scene of mounted knights engaged in battle across a rolling landscape. Here we observe a densely packed group of armored figures on horseback dominating the foreground, their forms partially obscured by dust and the intensity of the conflict. The artist has chosen a high vantage point, allowing for a broad view of the battlefield that extends into the middle ground where more soldiers are visible, though less distinct.
The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – browns, greens, and ochres – which contribute to a sense of realism and immediacy. Splashes of vibrant color appear in the banners carried by several figures; these flags serve as visual markers within the melee, suggesting allegiance or command structure. The light source appears to be diffused, casting soft shadows that flatten some forms while highlighting others, creating a dynamic interplay between visibility and obscurity.
The arrangement of the figures suggests movement and disarray. Horses rear and plunge, knights wield lances and swords with apparent urgency, and fallen bodies lie scattered on the ground. There is an absence of clear hierarchy within the immediate foreground; individual identities are subsumed by the collective action of war. The artist has rendered a sense of overwhelming force through the sheer number of figures and their agitated postures.
Beyond the immediate conflict, the background reveals a more tranquil landscape – trees and distant hills under a cloudy sky. This juxtaposition creates a subtle contrast between the brutality of warfare and the enduring beauty of nature, perhaps hinting at the ephemeral nature of human endeavors against a backdrop of timelessness. The inclusion of this pastoral element also serves to emphasize the scale of the battle; it is set within a larger world that continues regardless of the conflict unfolding before us.
Subtly, the painting conveys not only the spectacle of combat but also its inherent disorder and potential for loss. The obscured faces and fragmented forms deny the viewer easy identification with any particular individual, fostering a sense of detachment and perhaps even questioning the glorification of military action.