The final outrage

Depicts the figure of a semi-naked female tied to a post. Her hands are bound with chains, which have ribbons attached, bearing the words 'Occupied territories'. Beside him, a caricatured figure of the German Kaiser, wearing a helmet and full military uniform holds a whip to flog the back of the woman. At the end of the whip the ribbons bear the words 'starvation, requisition, outrage' . The figure of the Kaiser holds the whip in one hand while in the other he cries into a handkerchief. He turns weeping towards the figure of a man in a suit walking past. Under his arm, a folded newspaper bears the words 'Neutral'. In the background are city buildings and a cloud filled sky. The caricature comments on Germany's stance in Europe during the First World War and its hypocritical appeal to help and support from 'neutral' countries while destroying its occupied territories. A number of Dyson's caricatures were published in 1915 and are characterised by his response to Germany's military monarchy. Using a figure loosely based on the Kaiser, Dyson identified the 'common enemy' and attacked it with vigour. This caricature was published in the 'Daily Sketch', 25 February 1916, in London, with the following caption; 'The man with the whip: - These allies ought to be ashamed of themselves, Sir. Here I am whipping and whipping, and they won't come to the poor girl's help-'. 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.