Focus on To the Unknown British Soldier in France and explain the Subject.
The painting measures 154.2 × 128.9 centimetres (60.7 × 50.7 in).  It shows a coffin holding the remains of an unknown soldier, lying in state in a marble hall, covered by a Union Flag and topped by a British helmet, with a chandelier hanging above. A dark hallway opens up through an arched opening behind the coffin, and light is visible falling from another arched opening in the distance, with the faint outline of a cross.  The coffin is located in the Hall of Peace at the Palace of Versailles, with the Hall of Mirrors behind leading to the Hall of War.In place of the group portrait, in the original version of the revised painting, Orpen decided to accompany the coffin with an honour guard of two emaciated soldiers, bearing guns but clad only in loin-cloths of tattered blankets.  Above, two cherubs held a floral garland that reached down to the floor.The completed work was first exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 1923.  It was one of the more popular exhibits with the public, but it was attacked as in poor taste by critics.  The Imperial War Museum declined to take the work on the grounds that it did not meet the terms of the commission.
Orpen later painted out the soldiers and the cherubs with their flowers, and then donated the revised painting to the Imperial War Museum in 1928 as a tribute to the late Field Marshal Haig.
Haig Palace of Versailles Imperial War Museum Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Versailles lying in state unknown soldier Union Flag British helmet