What of the War

Philip Wilson Steer, a pivotal figure in British art, created What of the War around 1881, a period when Impressionism was influencing artists across Europe. This artwork reflects Steer’s early exploration of light and color through a nuanced, painterly technique characteristic of the Impressionism movement. The title, What of the War, evokes a contemplative inquiry into the impact and consequences of conflict, imbuing the piece with a thoughtful, somber tone. Though Steer is renowned for his landscapes and coastal scenes, his engagement with themes hinting at social or historical context aligns this work with the broader genre of portrait and narrative painting.