Semakh
Art ART91119 First World War, 1914-1918On 25 September 1918, Semakh was the scene of a short action between Australian light horsemen and a mixed force of Turks and Germans. Located at the southern end of Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee)
Study for "Semakh" Accession Number: AWM2022.396.1
Description
In 2013, in preparation for the commemoration of the centenary of the First World War, the Australian War Memorial commissioned landscape artist Alexander McKenzie to paint a new background for the Memorial's Semakh diorama (ART91119). The diorama was originally made in 1926-27 and depicts the events of 25 September 1918, when the 11th Light Horse Regiment attacked the village of Semakh in Palestine.
This study was the second of four that the artist produced on site in Israel during the development of his concept for the diorama background. The work shows how McKenzie was experimenting with light for the background scene, as well as different references he incorporated into the final work. For instance, the mosque and minaret in the lower left part of the painting are based on a study by George Lambert, which was painted near the same location during Lambert's time as official war artist.
Details
Accession Number
AWM2022.396.1
Artist
Alexander McKenzie
Classification
Art
Object Type
Painting
Physical Description
Medium: oil on linen
Measurement
Unframed: 36 x 91.5 cm
Medium
oil on linen
Date Made
2013
Place Made
Whole/Part
Whole
Item Count
1
Credit Line
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Alexander McKenzie, 2022
Copyright
AWM Licensed copyright
Conflicts
Places
Related Objects
More like this
Semakh
Art ART91119 First World War, 1914-1918On 25 September 1918, Semakh was the scene of a short action between Australian light horsemen and a mixed force of Turks and Germans. Located at the southern end of Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee)
not titled [artist notes]; verso: study of light Beersheba Charge
Art ART11388.006 First World War, 1914-1918Recto: artist notes written during Lambert's time in Palestine with the 2nd Light Horse. It lists the names of places including Romani, Magdhaba Raafa and Beersheba as well as gives a description of
[Study for 'The Anzacs']
Art ART11389.016 Period 1910-1919A soldier walks along the left side of a saddled horse. This is a study for the figure and horse that appears on 'The Anzacs', Lambert's entry in the Desert Mounted Corps memorial competition.
not titled [lower torso study]
Art ART11394.005 First World War, 1914-1918Fifth page of the sketchbook titled, 'Pocket Book No 2 containing 18 notes, material & pictures,' which was used by George Lambert. On the front appears a study of the lower torso of a light horseman.
[study for Centurion tank]
Art ART90305 Korean War, 1950-1953A study for a Centurion tank; possibly Royal Armoured Corps, British Commonwealth Forces. It was probably drawn in the artist's studio as a preparatory sketch for the main painting 'Centurion tank' (A
study for 'Taking Old Vickers Position, Bobdubi Ridge, 28 July 1943'
Art ART90339 Second World War, 1939-1945Study for 'Taking Old Vickers Position, Bobdubi Ridge, 28 July 1943'. The nature of this work suggests that the artist drew it in his studio as a study for the large canvas, perhaps using a model to