The Village of Waterloo (with travellers purchasing the relics that were found in the field of battle), 1815

George Jones painted The Village of Waterloo in 1821, depicting travelers purchasing battlefield relics at the village near the famous field of battle. The practice of selling souvenirs from the Waterloo battlefield began immediately after the battle and continued for decades. Jones, who had served in the army and was a friend of the Duke of Wellington, brought personal knowledge to his Waterloo subjects.

The genre composition captures the commercial aftermath of the battle with careful observation of the village setting and the assembled figures. Jones's documentary approach creates a convincing image of the early Waterloo tourism industry.