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History painting is an artistic genre characterised by its idealised depiction of a moment in a story usually taken from Greek or Roman mythology or the Bible,[1] presented in “an elevated and morally edifying manner”.[2] Once considered to be the highest form of art, the term is derived from the Italian istoria (“story”), and essentially means “story painting”.[1]
History painting can be distinguished from historical painting by the latter’s depiction of an actual historical event, the public appetite for which became “voracious” during the 19th century.[3] The English artist Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) suggested that history painting ought to be renamed poetical painting, “as it undoubtedly is”.[4]
The club’s first adventure revolves around Appledore, a house on the other side of the Long Mynd belonging to the mysterious Mrs Thurston, who is eventually revealed to be a German spy. Strangers whom the members of the club keep encountering are in reality German saboteurs coordinated by Mrs Thurston, parachuted in at night with the aim of destroying the reservoirs in the area.