Orlando Norie (1832-1901) Battle of the Alma George F Upton storming the heights

This is one of three works by Norie of the Battle of the Alma that we currently have for sale. This battle from the Crimean War was costly to both the allied expeditionary forces (British, French and Egyptians) and also to the Russians. Norie has shown an exploding canon blasting the British ranks as they desperately try to scale the heights and reach the Russian positions. Lieutenant Colonel George Frederick Upton can be seen leading a charge on horseback whilst holding his sword in one hand and his hat in the other. He is issuing a rallying cry to the Coldstream Guards as they push on. The Irishman was eventually made a Major General in 1858 and became a politician in 1859 before inheriting the Viscountcy of Templetown in 1863. Perhaps he commissioned Norie to paint this picture to remember his campaign in the Crimea.
 
Medium: watercolour on paper, signed l.r. 'O. Norie', 30.5 x 45.5 cm, framed.
 
Provenance: The Parker Gallery (2 Albermarle Street, London) - bought together with the other two works of the Battle of the Alma in 1952 by the same previous owner. Inscribed on mount 'Battle of the Alma, Sept 20th 1854. 1st Bn. The Coldstream Guards, under Lieut. Colonel the Hon. George F. Upton, Storming the Heights.'
 
Condition report: in very good overall condition. The mount has some water staining on the right-hand corner as shown in the photographs. The frame also has a few small scuff marks.