Men building Hadrian's wall, being reprimanded by a Roman centurion. Photograph after W.B. Scott.

Composition known as : The Romans cause a wall to be built for the protection of the south

"The background of the picture represents Crag Lough, a high basalt cliff shown with the wall stretching off into the distance along its ridge. The wall is being constructed by a team of men drawn from all areas of the Roman Empire. In the foreground a centurion confronts two workers who have stopped to boil water and are trying to conceal a game of dice. Some of the figures are portraits of recognisable local personalities; one of the soldiers on the rampart is Dr. Bruce, a great authority on the Wall, and the centurion is John Clayton who purchased large tracts to protect them from being torn down for building stone during the 19th century"--National Trust website

On the right side (Scotland), men shoot arrows at the people on the wall, encouraged by a woman who bears her breasts; the Romans shoot back. On the left side (England), a Roman officer conducts a sacrifice to Hercules before his soldiers who stand in formation; ploughs and a chariot are shown, and two young women bring bread for the builders, indicating peace and prosperity on the English side under Roman rule

[19--?]

1 photograph : photoprint, toned in brown ; sheet 36.1 x 36.1 cm

The painting is signed and dated: W B Scott Jan to June 1857

Wellcome Collection 3154415i

After one of eight oil paintings illustrating the history of the English Border with Scotland painted between 1856 and 1861

The series of eight paintings was "commissioned in 1855 by Sir Walter Trevelyan to decorate the courtyard at Wallington; began in 1857 and the series was exhibited at regular intervals at the Literary Society in Newcastle and completed in 1861 ... [they were] given with the property to The National Trust in 1941 by Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, 3rd Bt (1870–1958)"--National Trust website