Gallipoli wild flowers

Places
Accession Number ART02838
Collection type Art
Measurement Overall: 36 x 46.1 cm; framed: 44.6 cm x 54.7 cm x 5.1 cm
Object type Painting
Physical description oil on canvas
Maker Lambert, George
Place made Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli
Date made 28 February and 1 March 1919
Conflict Period 1910-1919
First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Depicts a still life of flowers and foliage in a biscuit tin. Lambert picked these flowers from the site of 'Beachy Bill', and painted them when the Australian Historical Mission was held up by rain. 'Beachy Bill' was a Turkish artillery battery sited inland from, and used to shell the beach at Anzac Cove. Lambert wrote on 27 Feb 1919 "We discovered quite a wild garden to-day and I am fixed for a flower-piece if it rains". The following day on 28 Feb 1919 he wrote "This day has been cold and bleak with intermittent showers. My forethought of yesterday in gathering flowers and plants saved the situation and I have had a long day at still-life". On 1 Mar 1919 he wrote "Again the rain and therefore the account of my day is easy. The flower-piece is finished... The flowers are in a biscuit tin on top of a bed for a tent pole; the work is up to standard. Yet, flowers and walking sticks! And I should be painting against time up at the Nek!".