Association (British) Long Range Rifle Shooting Competition
This toile design depicts events from the first National Rifle Association (British) Long Range Rifle Shooting Competition which took place on Wimbledon Common in 1860. The competition originated as a means of retaining volunteer militia forces for homeland defense and national security. Featured are Queen Victoria firing the first shot, and Sir Joseph Whitworth, inventor of the Whitworth rifle. Also depicted is Lord Elcho on horseback. Sources of information for this project include the Long Range Rifle Fire website, images from the Illustrated London News, and The Royal Collection e-Gallery of Photographs. Queen Victoria and Sir Joseph Whitworth are copied from a 19th century illustration of the event. The remainder of the design, while inspired by various illustrations, is my own.