Unfortunately, since the MOD Art Collection exists to preserve its current items rather than to spend scarce cash on acquiring new ones, contemporary peacekeeping activities of the armed Forces are not well represented. It is hoped that in future years the collection might expand to include more images of early 21st century operations.
This chilling image shows British troops in Bosnia. They form part of a set of three Howson works in the possession of the MOD Art Collection, and currently hang in a senior Whitehall office. Peter Howson was commissioned in Spring 1993 by the Imperial War Museum and Times Newspapers to go to Bosnia. He made two visits to the country in June and December, travelling with the British forces participating in the United Nations Protection Force. In June he went to Travnik, Gornji Vakuf, Prozor and Vitez, but was forced to return early because of illness.
When he returned to Bosnia in December 1993 he was accompanied by his friend Ian MacColl who made a video diary of their experiences. In addition to the places he had seen in June, he went to Zenica and observed the work of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.