not titled [Australian bayoneting enemy and throwing grenade]

In 1939 to mid-1940, Marcuse was a war events illustrator for 'The Argus'. This work is likely related to the art he produced in this role. In the collection, there are several drawings that illustrate scenes at war including Australian soldiers bayoneting the enemy, throwing grenades, in combat in the trenches, firing Boys anti-tank rifle, with the wounded, and figure studies.

Ernest Marcuse (1900 – 1985) was a German born Jewish artist. Marcuse (V377746) served in the Australian Army, 4th Employment Company in the Second World War. During his service he was transferred to Army Officer Training School as an Army Staff Artist. He served various units including: 13th Field Hygiene Company, Officer Cadet Training Unit and Land Headquarters, Directorate of Military Training. At this time he created visual training aids and illustrations for publications. Throughout the war Marcuse was located variously at Bonegilla in 1942, followed by Woodside (SA) in 1943, Mangalore and Melbourne.
Before the war Marcuse had been an artist. From 1918-25 he was formally trained at the Berlin School of Interior Design & Cabinetmaking, after which he went to the Reiman School Berlin. Marcuse was a Freelance Press Artist throughout the late 20s to early 30s, and regularly published illustrations in ‘Ulstein’, the Berlin daily newspaper, as well as various German magazines and ‘Scherl & Moss’ catalogues. Working under false names given his Jewish faith, Marcuse illustrated books and designed games in the period 1933-39, after which he fled to England and became a Freelance Commercial Artist in London. On 14 August 1939, Marcuse departed for Australia, and arrived in Melbourne on 1 October. Here, he became staff artist of ‘The Argus’ morning newspaper but was dismissed in mid-1940 for being a “German alien”. In this role he specialised primarily as war events illustrator. After this he became a Freelance Commercial Artist and Graphic Designer, a role he resumed after the war. Here he produced advertising, displays and conceptual drawings for various companies and organisations.
Marcuse died suddenly on 14 September 1985 in Queenscliff Victoria. At the time he had taken up his passion for fine art again. Throughout his lifetime, Marcuse acquired many awards for his art, and in 1945 received second place for ‘Troops in Australia’ in the ‘Australian Artists at War’ prize. Many of his works are now a part of private and corporate collections in Australia and overseas.