The End of War
This symbolic representation from the 'Ideals' series of Efforts and Ideals, expresses a yearning for an end to conflict, as a young soldier angrily hammers shut the doors of war with an oversized nail, treading in the pools of blood spilt by his fallen comrades. His gun and the diagonal of the tree trunk form a large cross at the centre of the composition, while his torn marching drum lies abandoned to the left. The triumphal column in the distance to the right, rising above the ruins, seems to be topped by a statue of Victory, in an echo of imperial Rome. Doves of peace appear to be descending onto the figure's outstretched hand.
Details
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Title
The End of War
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Artist/maker
William Nicholson (1872 - 1949) (printmaker) -
Associated place
Europe (place of creation) -
Date
1917 -
Material and technique
colour lithograph printed in four colours
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Object type
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Dimensions
image 42.7 x 58 cm (height x width)
sheet 55.3 x 80.2 cm (height x width) -
No. of items
1
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Credit line
Presented by the Ministry of Information, 1919.
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Museum location
Museum department
Western Art
Accession no.
WA1919.31.8
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