| Accession Number | ART09445 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall: 141.0 x 118.0 x 76.5 cm |
| Object type | Sculpture |
| Physical description | bronze |
| Location | Main Bld: Outdoor Exhibition Area: Western Precinct |
| Maker |
Mackennal, Bertram |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | 1906 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 Period 1900-1909 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
War
Description
The sculpture War, also known as Bellona, was gifted to the Commonwealth of Australia in 1920 by the internationally renowned Australian sculptor Bertram Mackennal as a tribute to the "gallantry, extreme courage and fortitude of our troops at Anzac". Mackennal had modelled the sculpture in London in 1906, long before the First World War and possibly in response to the Boer War.
In Roman mythology, Bellona was the goddess of war. Throughout art history, she has been depicted with common implements of war, such as a sword or spear. Mackennal's depiction of Bellona bears the upper half of a shield, and a helmet incorporating death's head as grim evidence of the harvest of war.