[Digger lying on his stomach] verso: [Reclining officer with spyglass]

Place Europe: France
Accession Number ART19710
Collection type Art
Measurement sheet: 29.2 x 38.1 cm; image: 29.2 x 38.1 cm
Object type Work on paper
Physical description charcoal on paper
Place made France
Date made c 1917-18
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 an image of an Australian digger in uniform lying on his stomach on the ground, observed from behind. On the verso is an image of an officer, seated on the ground, looking through a spyglass or telescope out across a valley in France. 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.