Separation of the raft and the whaler

Place Asia: Netherlands East Indies, Timor Sea
Accession Number ART91498
Collection type Art
Measurement image: 115 x 153 cm
Object type Work on paper
Physical description synthetic polymer paint, pastel on paper
Maker Senbergs, Jan
Place made Australia: Victoria, Melbourne
Date made 1998
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright

Description

Jan Senbergs collaborated with Col Madigan, one of the Armidale survivors to create this work which forms part of a series of ten paintings depicting the sinking of HMAS Armidale on 1 December 1942. This work depicts the terrible moment when the survivors on the raft and whaler separated. Despite an attempted rescue by a Catalina on the eighth day, the men on the raft were tragically lost at sea. The composition is inspired by the great French history painting 'Raft of the Medusa' (1819) by Theodore Gericault.