Elizabeth Thompson was born in Lausanne in 1846.  Her father had private means but did not own a property, the family spent the summers various places in England and the winters in Italy.  Elizabeth went to Kensington Art School. Following which she sent a painting to the Royal Academy but it was refused, the following year she tried again but was again rejected.  On her third attempt her painting was accepted but ‘skied’ that is hung so high that it was not seen by anyone.  In 1877 she sent ‘The ‘Roll Call’ a picture of the Crimean War which was accepted and hung ‘on the lime’. It was a great success and was acquired by Queen Victoria and remains in the Royal Collection.  The following year she sent ‘Quatre Bras’ showing a British infantry square prior to the Battle of Waterloo which again was well received even earning praise from John Ruskin.  From then on, she almost exclusively painted battle scenes 24 of which were exhibited at the Royal Academy.

In 1877 she married Major Butler.  He went on the become a Major General and was knighted.  She had five children and followed her husband as he was posted around Britain and abroad.  He retired to Ireland where Elizabeth continued to paint battle scenes.  She died in 1933 aged 87.

28th Quatre Brae.  Picture Credit National Gallery, Australia