Don't be hard on me Sir....

Place Oceania: Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Canberra
Accession Number ARTC00004
Collection type Art
Measurement sheet: 40.2 x 34.1 cm (irreg.); image: 34.8 x 29.3 cm
Object type Work on paper
Physical description brush and ink, pencil on paper
Place made Australia: Victoria, Melbourne
Date made c 1927-28
Conflict Period 1920-1929
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Depicts a figure of a man, bending over a small child and chastising him. Above the man's ear is a feather quill with the word 'CRITICISM' on it, and he holds a bill with the words 'BILL FOR DRESSING CANBERRA IN CITY STYLE....' on it. The small child is crying and wearing an oversized jacket and top hat on which is written 'CANBERRA'.

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.