The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
During the First World War Amiens was significant as an administration and communication centre at the crossroads of French rail and highway. The capture of this large, historic city became a principal objective for the Germans. From March to April 1918 they were driving towards the city, until the Australians' defence of Villers-Bretonneux prevented any further advance. Thereafter Amiens became a safe base for the allied forces. The town’s cathedral, with its ornate spire and towers, was visible across the surrounding countryside.
When the First World War broke out Arthur Streeton was living in London. Considered too old for military service, he joined the Royal Army Military Corps and worked as an orderly at the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsorth, alongside other Australian artists, including Tom Roberts, A. Henry Fullwood and George Coates. Later discharged as medically unfit, Streeton lobbied for the establishment of an Australian war art scheme. He was appointed an official war artist in May 1918, and sent to France attached to the 2nd Division AIF. While in France, Streeton worked mainly around the Somme battlefields, looking to towns such as Amiens for material.
Depicts a view of the Amiens Cathedral visible above trees and rooftops. Arthur Streeton is best known as one of the painters of the Heidelberg School in Melbourne in the late nineteenth century. Hi
Streeton believed that Amiens, the key of the west, which refers to the events of 8 August 1918 and the fighting in the Somme area that led up to this day, was one of his most important works. Amiens
Depicts a view of the road to Amiens from Dury (Rue de Paris). The duty hospital is at the left of the image with several soldiers and a nurse standing outside. There are also several soldiers standin
Watercolour sketch of a windmill in the countryside with a view of Amiens and its cathedral in the distance. Albert Henry Fullwood was born in Birmingham, England in March 1863. In 1883 he sailed to
Watercolour sketch depicting a view of Amiens Cathedral, Amiens, France. Will Longstaff was born in Ballarat, Victoria in 1879. From 1900 to 1901, he served with the South African Light Horse in the B
Depicts a view of the Amiens Cathedral visible above trees and rooftops. Arthur Streeton is best known as one of the painters of the Heidelberg School in Melbourne in the late nineteenth century. Hi
Watercolour sketch depicting a view of the Amiens cathedral from the surrounding countryside, with the village of Amiens also depicted. Will Longstaff was born in Ballarat, Victoria in 1879. From 1900
