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