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Notes
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In 1810, some French prisoners in England formed a society to perform comedy, and obtained permission to erect a theatre in one of the ground floor rooms of Portchester Castle where they were detained. They were also granted the use of another room near the theatre for sleeping purposes and this room was also used as a storehouse for scenery and other articles necessary for the theatre. This picture shows the prisoners in the 'backstage' room for the theatre. It was painted by a prisoner who was first violinist for the orchestra and was exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1845. This painting is a unique depiction of one of the key phases of Portchester Castle’s history, as it is the only visual evidence available relating to the interior of the Keep during the four years that the Napoleonic French prisoners of war were held at the castle (1810–1814).
English Heritage, Portchester Castle
Portchester
Title
French Prisoners of War in Portchester Castle c.1810
Date
c.1810–1845
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 27.8 x W 46.3 cm
Accession number
96504094
Acquisition method
purchased, 2023
Work type
Painting
