The Art of War

by Betty Churcher

A leading art historian explores the range and diversity of art inspired by war in this moving and eye-opening art book. The work of official war artists in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the recent wars in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf are explored alongside the drawings and paintings of lesser-known artists and ordinary soldiers who were trenches during World War I, concentration camps of Europe, and prisoner-of-war camps of Southeast Asia. Artists who have been inspired by peace-keeping missions in Timor, Somalia, and Eritrea are included, as well as George Lambert's dramatic World War I battlefield panoramas, Will Dyson's political cartoons, Ray Parkin's prisoner-of-war camp sketches, and Gordon Bennett's graffiti-influenced works produced in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the U.S.. With works that inspire patriotic sentiment, record personal insights, and protest the senseless loss of human life, this compilation shows that where war has influenced art, art has also affected attitudes of war.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last week, with Anzac Day approaching, it seemed a good time to browse through Betty Churcher’s magnificent tribute to the artists who depict war. The Art of War was written to coincide with a TV program on SBS, produced by Film Australia, and I had not long ago stumbled on my copy at Bound Words in Hampton St Hampton. But the day after I started drafting this review, my father unexpectedly died, and I forgot about this post until tonight, the eve of Anzac Day 2017. So for now, I’m just going to focus on what I’ve read of the book, just Chapter One.
The Art of War is a paperback, but it is full-sized and printed on quality glossy paper so the reproductions of the paintings are superb.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2017/04/24/t...