Small Talk

Depicts two soldiers lying in a bomb crater, in a war damaged landscape, having a conversation. The full title Dyson gave to this painting was; 'Small Talk: "No Brig., I says/ send me back to the/ boys- the transport's/ no good to me/ I never joined the / war to be a mule's batman!'. Will Dyson was the first Australian official war artist to visit the front during the First World War, travelling to France in December 1916, remaining there until May 1917, making records of the Australian involvement in the war. He was formally appointed as an official war artist, attached to the AIF, in May 1917, working in France and London throughout the war. His commission was terminated in March 1920.