A Waterloo Cartoon recreation has been unveiled at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.
The piece will be on display at the Woodstock museum until April 30 as part of the museum's exhibition featuring art and objects related to the historic Battle of Waterloo.
Besides showcasing the work by artist Shaun Maloney, the museum plans to host a number of rare displays from its archive including items from the 52nd Oxfordshire Light Infantry, a unit renowned for its vital role in defeating Napoleon’s Imperial Guard.
The exhibitions are supplemented with supporting panels from the National Army Museum for added historic context.
Mr Maloney, a former serviceman, spent a long and varied stint serving the British Army in locations including the Falkland Islands, mainland Europe, Bosnia and Kosovo, Northern Ireland, and the Far East.
He said: "Drawing has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember.
"In recent years I have used mindful drawing to steady my own mental health as well as helping others.
"There is a special gift that drawing gives us and for me, it’s being able to focus on just one thing at that one moment in time."
He added: "When I’m drawing, time is immaterial.
"Hours pass without any intrusive thoughts entering my mind.
"I love to be able to get right into the detail and discover those things only really close looking can see."
Drawing on his military experience and eye for detail, Mr Maloney recreated the Waterloo Cartoon by basing it on the original by 19th-century artist Daniel Maclise.
Having relied on drawing as a personal outlet throughout his life, the artist is also offering some of his wisdom to museum visitors via a series of workshops, aimed at helping individuals build their own skill and confidence in drawing.
The first workshop is set to take place on February 17 with another following on April 13, 2024.
These workshops, open to all ages from children aged 10 upwards, will work on cultivating creativity in participants while casting an eye over historical visual sources like the original Waterloo Cartoon.
However, spaces are limited and tickets must be purchased in advance through the museum's website or Eventbrite.
As part of the closing events, Mr Maloney's Waterloo Cartoon will serve as the grand prize in the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust's charity raffle aimed at supporting the future activities of the museum.
This year, the museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and the raffle will help fund its ongoing efforts in preserving Oxfordshire's military heritage and sharing the region's stories of conflict and peace.
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