| Accession Number | ART96765 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Unframed: 36 x 30 cm |
| Object type | Work on paper |
| Physical description | gouache on paper |
| Place made | Netherlands East Indies: Dutch New Guinea, Noemfoor Island |
| Date made | 18 February 1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
Self portrait in a broken shaving mirror
Description
The broken shaving mirror reflects the partial self portrait of the artist in reflection. The shards of glass are held together with metal corners of the mirror frame which is nailed to the edge of a tree. The tree divides the composition of the painting in two. The blue sky opens out the composition to the left and jungle foliage reflected in the upper right of the mirror and the grasshopper and caterpillar reflect Thake's interest in the flora and fauna and are indicative of his proximity to the bush surroundings. Thake completed sketches while on the move constantly throughout his time as an official war artist with the Royal Australian Air Force in New Guinea, Timor and Northern Australia.
The artist noted around the edge of the sheet: "The yellow flesh colour is due to the Atebrin tablets we had to take as a malaria preventative...The small yellow-fruited pink-flowered passion vine ran riot. The millipedes were always in sight wherever you looked; large green & black grasshoppers were very common."