As Britain's Official War Artist in Bosnia, Peter Howson peeled back all the veils of bravery, pride and honour to reveal the stark horror of war and the trauma suffered by its victims

Apollo, May, 2005 by Louise Nicholson

As Britain's Official War Artist in Bosnia, Peter Howson peeled back all the veils of bravery, pride and honour to reveal the stark horror of war and the trauma suffered by its victims. His deeply disturbing pictures recall the power of Goya. The same intense passion and full-frontal frankness defines his most recent work, twenty-five paintings and drawings produced in a prolific outpouring of creativity earlier this year (showing at Flowers, 1000 Madison Avenue, until 7 May).

Most impressive are the fourteen drawings (Pilgrim, left), whose images of human suffering and salvation incorporate a deeply religious spirit; indeed, a suffering Christ is portrayed in many. Howson believes painting is in crisis today and looks to the example of the late gothic and Reformation periods for the real power in painting, specifically to such masters as Durer, Grunewald and the grotesque fantasies of Bosch. Their influence is also present in his serious approach to drawing. Choosing an unusual and challenging technique--working in pencil direct onto small gessoed panels measuring just 9 x 8 inches--he does no preparatory drawings and yet creates perfect compositions of a fine draughtsmanship rarely seen today.