Peronne. Heavy artillery advancing through the town

Places
Accession Number ART03043
Collection type Art
Measurement framed: 63 x 73.6 cm; unframed: 50.8 x 60.6 cm
Object type Painting
Physical description oil on linen canvas
Maker McCubbin, Louis Frederick
Place made France
Date made 1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

The 1st Australian Imperial Force going through the ruins of Peronne with heavy artillery such as 8 inch howitzers. A biplane can be seen flying overhead. Smoke from burning villages is visible in the distance. Louis McCubbin enlisted with the 14th Battalion AIF in 1916, serving in France from November 1917 with the 10th Field Ambulance. He undertook a camouflage course and was appointed as an Official War Artist working as Officer in Charge of Camouflage for 3rd Division AIF in 1918. His appointment was terminated in 1920, in which year he returned to Australia and joined the staff of the Australian War Memorial to paint backgrounds for dioramas and to perform a variety of other duties. McCubbin remained in the position until 1930.