Kitchener at Work: the famous Field Marshal at his desk in the War Office

Kitchener at Work: the famous Field Marshal at his desk in the War Office

Drawing of Lord Horatio Kitchener and staff working in his office with a commentary

This work is notable as a drawing rather than a photograph - it is stated that 'special permission' was given to create the image. This may mean that it would have been impossible to create a photograph which both looked authentic and also did not risk revealing sensitive information which could be of use to the enemy. There may also be a sense that the creation of a drawing (some of which could have been imagined by the artist) was somehow less intrusive, or more fitting to the status of Lord Kitchener as it may have appeared to relate to the artistic tradition of portraiture more easily than the relatively new technology of photography.

Drawing by Samuel Begg (1854-1936)

Illustrated London News, 10 Oct. 1914: 512-513

Lancaster University

1914

Photographs of Lord Kitchener inspecting troops in Manchester and Liverpool:
https://regionalheritage.omeka.net/items/show/5
Biographical account of Samuel Begg: http://www.illustratedfirstworldwar.com/samuel-begg/
Biographical account of Lord Kitchener: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/kitchener_lord_horatio.shtml

Twentieth century, World War One

Drawing published in newspaper, with commentary