Without risks, war art is simply reportage | Art & Architecture | Guardian Unlimited Arts
Official war artists are appointed by the arts commission committee of the Imperial War Museum (IWM), which then relies on the military to help them. Now that McQueen’s run is coming to an end they are considering whom to appoint next. The tradition has seen artists revel in the glory of battle, searching for the heroism in the sacrifice and valour, or else, like Goya, lay out the savagery for more sensitive – or voyeuristic – eyes, or, like Picasso, damn it in a quiet voice.

Very interesting article in the Guardian. What a concept! Does the military acquire all of the paintings, do they have first dibs or is the artist free to sell them however he sees fit?