2020 sees the 75th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War in Europe and 80 years since one of its key moments: the Battle of Britain.
In a conflict rooted in ideology art was a weapon. The War Artist Advisory Committee was set up by the Government to record the war, employ artists and create propaganda. Professional artists, the public and forces personnel all submitted work and exhibitions were mounted. In 1948 the Russell-Cotes received some 33 works from the Committee, some of which are presented here.
To mark the anniversary of the battle the Imperial War Museum will be working with us and other partners to proactively loan from its rich art collection for the first time thanks to the generous support of the Art Fund.
Fusilier Perrin 1941
Eric Henri Kennington (1888–1960)
Pastel on paper
H 51 x W 75.5 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Lieutenant Colonel J. V. McCormack, MC 1940
Reginald Grenville Eves (1876–1941)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 51 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
The Despatch Rider 1941
Henry Lamb (1883–1960)
Oil on canvas
H 59.6 x W 48.7 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Major General Worthington (1889–1967) 1941
Henry Lamb (1883–1960)
Pastel on paper
H 56 x W 45 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Tank Landing Craft: On the Bridge at Dawn 1943
Stephen Bone (1904–1958)
Oil on canvas
H 51.3 x W 61.6 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
The Island, HMS 'Pursuer' 1943
Stephen Bone (1904–1958)
Pastel on paper
H 27 x W 65 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
William D. Dring (1904–1990)
Chalk & pastel on paper
H 61.5 x W 48.3 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Able-Seaman Povey of HMS 'Hardy' 1940
Eric Henri Kennington (1888–1960)
Pastel on paper
H 74.5 x W 53.5 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Group Captain C. A. Bouchier (1895–1979), OBE, DFC 1940
Thomas Cantrell Dugdale (1880–1952)
Oil on canvas
H 74 x W 61.5 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
An Aerial Battle 1940
Francis Dodd (1874–1949)
Oil on canvas
H 55.8 x W 45.7 cm
IWM (Imperial War Museums)
Squadron Leader George L. Denholm (1909–1997), DFC 1940
Thomas Cantrell Dugdale (1880–1952)
Oil on canvas
H 76.2 x W 63.5 cm
IWM (Imperial War Museums)
ATS Soldiers on the Beach, Bournemouth 1940–1942
Edward Ardizzone (1900–1979)
Watercolour on paper
H 22 x W 30.5 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Evelyn Mary Dunbar (1906–1960)
Oil on canvas
H 22 x W 22 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
School Cadets – Examining Sten Gun 1943
Alexander Macpherson (1904–1970)
Graphite & charcoal on paper
H 32.5 x W 41 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Hospital Supply Depot at Roehampton Club 1940
Ethel Léontine Gabain (1883–1950)
Lithograph on paper
H 50.5 x W 63.5 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Explore artists in this Curation
View all 12-
William D. Dring (1904–1990) -
Eric Henri Kennington (1888–1960) -
Ethel Léontine Gabain (1883–1950) -
Alexander Macpherson (1904–1970) -
Reginald Grenville Eves (1876–1941) -
Francis Dodd (1874–1949) -
Eileen Agar (1899–1991) -
Evelyn Mary Dunbar (1906–1960) -
Edward Ardizzone (1900–1979) -
Thomas Cantrell Dugdale (1880–1952) - View all 12