Places | |
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Accession Number | ART02430 |
Collection type | Art |
Measurement | framed: 53.4 x 69 cm; unframed: 46.8 x 62.2 cm |
Object type | Painting |
Physical description | oil on board |
Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
Date made | 1920 |
Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain This item is in the Public Domain |
Small Talk
Description
Depicts two soldiers lying in a bomb crater, in a war damaged landscape, having a conversation. The full title Dyson gave to this painting was; 'Small Talk: "No Brig., I says/ send me back to the/ boys- the transport's/ no good to me/ I never joined the / war to be a mule's batman!'. 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.
Related information
Conflicts
Places
Subjects
Related Objects
- War weariness ('Ain't this bloomin' war over yet?')
- Yanks and a veteran ('As long as you are there to tell us what to do!')
- 11 am or a visit from the Corps
- The Cook's Return ("Didn't I just make Paris sit up!")
- The scarecrow: 'It's a bloomin' civvy!'
- Small Talk
- The batman (Compree washing madame)
- The amateur (`Who's cutting this hair, you or me?')
- Going up again
- Rations: 'Seen any of our mob about?'