Albert 1914

Place Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Albert
Accession Number ART19548
Collection type Art
Measurement sheet: 45.4 x 36 cm; image: 43 x 29.8 cm
Object type Work on paper
Physical description pen and ink over pencil on cardboard
Maker Stewart, James Warren
Place made Australia, France: Picardie, Somme, Albert
Date made unknown
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright unknown

Description

Depicts the Albert Cathedral in France before it was destroyed by artillery fire. Albert was central to the First Battle of the Somme. During the war, the statue of Mary on top of the church was hit by a shell and was put in a horizontal position and was left hanging precariously. The Germans claimed that whoever made the statue fall from the church, would lose the war. Some time after, the Germans captured the town and used the church tower as an outpost. British artillery fired at the church because it was an outpost and a shell hit the Mary statue which fell from the church tower. The Germans were happy and believed the British would lose the war. This is one of 5 pen and ink reproductions of original pencil drawings by Sapper James Warren Stewart from his sketchbook. See ART19545.022. Whereabouts of the original sketchbook is unknown.