The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
A cartoon by Dyson commenting on government policies, particularly those associated with Kaiser Wilhelm II. The cartoon incorporates the figures of a German military man, with orders to 'sink or swim' in one hand and a halo in the other greeting a giant ape emerging from the sea - a comment on the all out submarine warfare announced on 31 January 1917 in which any British ships met were to be sunk by the German Navy. Dyson's distinctive, biting satire aimed at war and Kaiser Wilhelm prompted his works to be seen as epitomising the prevalent anti-German sentiment.
Will Dyson was the first Australian official war artist to visit the front during the First World War, travelling to France in December 1916, remaining there until May 1917, making records of the Australian involvement in the war. He was formally appointed as an official war artist, attached to the AIF, in May 1917, working in France and London throughout the war. His commission was terminated in March 1920.
Depicts a cartoon of a German military man, dressed in a long coat and cap, standing on the bow of a ship while a ship sinks beside him. The image is a comment on the all out submarine warfare announc
Depicts a caricature of Kaiser Wilhelm II climbing up a huge pile of human skulls, representing war dead, while smoking ruins appear in the background. Dyson's distinctive biting satire aimed at war a
Depicts the figure of Julius Caesar, emperor (in the guise of a German officer) standing on top of a dais, surveying the scene before him of the sinking and bombing of a ship (possibly the Lusitania)
Depicts a large hand rising up from underneath the sea to grab a sinking and on fire ship. In the background another ship can be seen about to be grasped by a hand rising out of the water. The cartoon
Depicts a caricature of Kaiser Wilhelm, with the figure of a horned and cloven hoofed beast (possibly the Devil), standing in front of the figure of the United States President Woodrow Wilson, seated
Depicts a forlorn looking Kaiser Wilhelm II, wearing formal attire and a hat, crying and clasping hands with a hairy, two horned beast. The cartoon was published in the 'Daily Sketch', London, 10 Apri