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A portrait of a German U-boat Commander of World War One standing on the after deck of a U-boat, facing towards the horizon. He wears a cap, a jacket over a naval sweater, leather gloves and knee-high boots as he stands with his hands clasped behind his back on the wet deck. This large painting was the result of official war work undertaken by the artist when he was aboard 'U-53' crossing the Atlantic to Newport and back in a stormy voyage of many weeks. The resulting images were then used to illustrate the book 'U-Boat Stories'. This picture is entitled 'The Commander', and portrays Captain-Lieutenant Hans Rose who was the commander of 'U-53'. The text in the book refers to the responsibilities and duties of such a commander and this painting has tried to capture these emotions through the unusual composition.

National Maritime Museum

London

Title

The Commander

Date

c.1918

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 76.2 x W 229.3 cm

Accession number

BHC1284

Work type

Painting

National Maritime Museum

Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England

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