The new age group

Medical examination was painted in 1942 when the first show of contemporary art was held in South Australia. The work depicts new recruits undergoing a medical examination as part of the process of enlisting in the forces. This was a rather humiliating experience for the men. Some of them are stripped down and are being measured and prodded by examiners. In the background, one recruit is having his eyes examined and another is being weighed. Early in his career Francis excelled as a caricaturist, and this work certainly demonstrates his facility with this style. Francis captures men, most of whom appear unfit for service, in such a way that seems to mock the process of examining new recruits.