Thiepval, Somme Accession Number: ART02877

Description

Watercolour and charcoal sketch depicting war damaged tree stumps and road at Thiepval battlefield, which was an area near where there was much bitter fighting in August and September of 1916. Frederick Leist was a painter, illustrator and teacher. He studied at the Sydney Art School and the Art School of New South Wales from c.1894-95. During the 1890s he worked as an illustrator for the 'Bulletin' and 'Sydney Mail' and trained as a furniture designer with the David Jones department store. In 1908 he went to England and became an artist with the London 'Graphic' while exhibiting his art work at the Royal Academy in 1911. He worked for the British War Office between 1915 and 1916 and worked for His Majesty's Stationary Office designing posters for First World War recruitment. Leist was appointed an official war artist in September 1917, attached to the 5th Division AIF and worked twice in France between September to December 1917 and from June to August 1918. His commission was terminated in 1920.

Details

Accession Number
ART02877
Classification
Art
Object Type
Work on paper
Physical Description
Medium: watercolour with charcoal
Measurement
sheet: 64.8 cm x 49.8 cm
Medium
watercolour with charcoal on paper
Date Made
1917
Place Made
Whole/Part
Whole
Item Count
1
Credit Line
Acquired under the official war art scheme 1917
Copyright
Copyright expired - public domain

Conflicts

Places

Events

Tags and Groups

Accession ART02877

More like this

Well earned rest

Art ART02922 First World War, 1914-1918

Charcoal sketch depicting a soldier asleep in a farm wagon with his rifle and haversack at the end of the wagon. Frederick Leist was a painter, illustrator and teacher. He studied at the Sydney Art Sc

Mill, Reninghelst

Art ART02903 First World War, 1914-1918

Watercolour and charcoal sketch depicting the mill at Reninghelst. The image contains a group of buildings, roofs, walls and a damaged chimney situated in a valley among low hills. The mill was chiefl

Repairing room, divisional baths

Art ART02921 First World War, 1914-1918

Charcoal sketch depicting a sewing room with women repairing items of uniform. Finished items are hanging from a line on the ceiling and there is an iron stove in the centre of the room. Frederick Le

Courtyard, Chateau St Gratien

Art ART02892 First World War, 1914-1918

Watercolour and charcoal sketch depicting the courtyard of Chateau St Gratien being used as the headquarters for 5th Division AIF. The courtyard contains soldiers lounging in the sunshine. Frederick L

Working the heavies

Art ART02923 First World War, 1914-1918

Charcoal and watercolour sketch depicting the gun crew of a 9.2 inch Breech loading howitzer at the Third Battle of Ypres. Four men are lifting a shell on a support for loading, there are other guns i

Interior, Dickebusch Church

Art ART02918 First World War, 1914-1918

Watercolour and charcoal sketch depicting the wrecked interior of the Dickebusch Church. There is a gaping hole in roof, glass missing from windows, rubble on floor. There also appears to be two Austr

See more similar items →

Record information

Last modified: 11 July 2025 - 2.44 am