Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby
4 of 28 portraits of Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby
by Eric Kennington
pastel, published 1926
17 1/2 in. x 13 1/4 in. (445 mm x 337 mm)
Given by Arnold Walter Lawrence, 1936
Primary Collection
NPG 2906
Sitterback to top
- Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby (1861-1936), Field Marshal. Sitter in 38 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Eric Henri Kennington (1888-1960), Sculptor and artist. Artist or producer of 6 portraits, Sitter in 13 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Gibson, Robin; Clerk, Honor, 20th Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery Collection, 1993, p. 10 Read entry
Allenby had fought for three years on the Western Front before taking command of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in June 1917, directing the Allied offensive against the Turks. His thoroughness, sincerity and clear-thinking were responsible for a series of successful campaigns that liberated Jerusalem and Damascus and led to an armistice with the Turks at the end of 1917. They were also qualities that recommended him to the most famous officer under his command, T. E. Lawrence, to whom he gave his support.
The drawing of Allenby was one of many commissioned by Lawrence from Eric Kennington, art editor of the subscribers' edition of Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926). At an exhibition of the illustrations it was bought for Lawrence by his friend Edward Garnett and hung, with Augustus John's painting of the Emir Feisal, in Lawrence's cottage. After Lawrence's death the drawing was given to the National Portrait Gallery by his brother.
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 10
- Wilson, Jeremy, T.E. Lawrence: Lawrence of Arabia, 1988 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 9 December 1988 - 12 March 1989), p. 87
Events of 1926back to top
Current affairs
In response to wage cuts and increased working hours for coal miners recommended by the Samuel Commission, the Trade Union Council calls a General Strike of workers in the key industries. Although over 1.5 million workers took part, the TUC finally gave in after nine days and called off the strike. The Trade Disputes and Trade Union Act of 1927 made it harder for workers to strike.Art and science
A.A. Milne publishes Winnie-the-Pooh. The series of popular children's books featured the character Christopher Robin (named after Milne's son) and a cast of animals based on his stuffed-toys including Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Tigger, Kanga and Roo.The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is published. This was Agatha Christie's third 'whodunit' novel featuring Hercule Poirot, the Belgian Detective.
International
The League of Nations accepts Germany as the sixth permanent member on the council deeming it a 'peace-loving country'. This confidence, however, was short lived with Germany leaving the League with the accession of Adolf Hitler to power in 1933.Comments back to top
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