Place | Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli |
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Accession Number | ART91325 |
Collection type | Art |
Measurement | Overall: 63.6 x 52.2 cm |
Object type | Work on paper |
Physical description | textile dye on coated paper |
Maker |
Nolan, Sidney |
Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
Date made | c 1962 |
Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial![]() |
[Gallipoli figures in battle amid shell-fire]
Description
Two naked Gallipoli figures in combat amidst shell fire. The figures are partly immersed in the sea. These refer to links between Anzac's and classical figures, for example Herakles and Antaeus, wrestling with giants, or Homeric heroes in battle. The soldiers wrestling also relates to black figure pottery of the 7th century BC. Black figure pottery usually represented the Gods or the heroes of Greek history and mythology engaged in scenes of battle and hunting. When the Anzac's arrived at Gallipoli, many British officers were awestruck when faced with the tall, bronzed Anzac's that reminded them of the Greek heroes and gods. Much was written by the British officers and soldiers about this resemblance at the time.