William Simpson was among the first British war artists. Trained in Glasgow and London, he was commissioned by leading publisher Colnaghi & Son to document the Crimean War. His first-hand sketches of the campaign were developed into colour lithographs and published in two volumes entitled The Seat of War in the East. The success of his lithographs of the Crimean War led to a long and distinguished career, covering campaigns including the Franco-Prussian War and Second Anglo-Afghan War.

From the collection of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII