The gunners, France

Places
Accession Number ART09100
Collection type Art
Measurement framed: 119.5 cm x 119.5 cm x 33 kg
Object type Painting
Physical description oil on canvas
Maker Power, H Septimus
Place made United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London
Date made 1924
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Depicts four artillerymen on a battlefield working an 18 pounder gun while another figure, standing, looks through binoculars behind them. The action is taking place at the Third Battle of Ypres in Passchendaele. Bombs are exploding all around and two aircraft can be seen in the sky. The 18-pounder gun is set up on a gun carriage.

Harold Septimus Power (1877- 1951) was born in Dunedin, New Zealand. He settled in Adelaide in 1898, where he was engaged as a political cartoonist with the 'Register' . He was appointed Official War Artist attached to the 1st Division AIF from September 1917 to March 1920. He served in France from September to December 1917 and in August 1918. He was subsequently engaged on various commissions for the Australian War Memorial until 1938, travelling frequently between England and Australia during this period.