Denis Dighton, 1823 — A Forgotten Masterpiece of Philhellenic Art
In the late 18th century, Souli resisted multiple attacks from Ali Pacha of Janina. A failed 1791 campaign was followed by a treacherous trap, but the Souliotes regrouped and repelled an army of 10,000. Using mountainous terrain and unity of men, women, and children, they launched a counterattack that became legendary.
Dighton captures the climax: boulders tumbling, priests praying, women fighting. Each figure expresses the desperation and determination of an entire population. The Ottoman forces are shown in colorful turbans, while Souliotes wear red-and-white with traditional firearms and sabers.
The presence of a praying priest and a cross-bearing flag suggests the religious nature of the conflict. Children and women appear prominently — reinforcing the theme of a population-wide resistance. It’s not only a clash of empires, but of belief and culture.
Dighton, trained at the Royal Academy, was appointed Military Painter to the Prince Regent. He documented Waterloo and the Peninsular War before turning to Philhellenic themes. Despite success, he was denied Royal Academy membership and died young in exile, leaving behind powerful yet underrecognized works.
By 1823, the Greek Committee in London was active. Dighton’s subjects echoed this wave of support. His paintings paralleled efforts by Byron, Blaquière, and Church to rally aid for Greek independence. His choice to depict Souli in 1823 reveals a strategic alignment with these cultural sentiments.
“To conquer or perish.” — Somerset House Gazette, 1823
The painting vanished for nearly a century until its rediscovery at auction in 1960, misattributed. It resurfaced at Sotheby’s in 1990 and again in 2003. Its emotional impact and technical excellence make it a vital, though overlooked, British contribution to modern Greek history.
“A fine display of those agitating passions… we cannot consent to designate battle pieces in the true sense of the word historical paintings without it.”
— Somerset House Gazette, 1823