War Horse - Fact and Fiction

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The National Army Museum has an exhibition opening on 22nd October (and running until August 2012): War Horse, Fact and Fiction. It takes Michael Morpurgo's War Horse as a hook on which to hang the rest of the exhibition, which is illustrated with artefacts from the Museum's collection, "encouraging visitors to think about the millions of War Horses who have supported the British Army across time".

Entry is free.

If you've read the book, you'll know that it opens with a description of a picture hanging in a village hall, which shows Joey, as painted by the man who rode him into war.  Although Iddesleigh, the village, exists, as does the village hall, the picture up until now has been a complete fiction. Equine artist Ali Bannister has now made fiction fact. Michael Morpurgo has commissioned her to do two portraits, and one will hang in the village hall.  There's an example of the picture on The Times site - sadly it's behind a paywall.  If I can find a copy which is a bit more accessible I will post a link.

Edited to add: the picture will be on Ali Bannister's website within the next 4 weeks, and will also be appearing at the War Horse exhibition.

Comments

Val said…
Thanks for the info ...my 10 year old is set to read War horse at school and this looks interesting
21 October 2011 at 06:52
banni15 said…
Within the next four weeks, the picture of Joey, to which you refer,
will be on my daughter's web site - www.alibannister.com
You can see the picture at the National Army Museum's exhibition, War Horse: Fact and fiction which opens on 22nd October 2011 and which will run at least until August next year.
Nick Bannister
21 October 2011 at 13:28
Jane Badger said…
Thank you very much! I'll keep an eye out for it and post a link. I hadn't realised that the picture would be at the War Horse exhibition, so will update the post with that too.
21 October 2011 at 14:22
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