Monday, December 2, 2019

Vimy Ridge Sculptures And Mourning

Returning to the War Museum today. I mentioned when I started the series how Regeneration Hall, which appears as a large diagonal spike from the outside, is one of two focal points of the Museum. Inside Regeneration Hall are displayed the original half scale plaster sculptures of the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Walter Allward designed the mammoth memorial that commemorates the Canadian dead of the First World War battle, and by extension all of the Canadian dead of that war. He worked his ideas into these allegorical sculptures in the studio before adding them to the finished work. Their tone is that of commemoration and mourning, and each of them resonate with the visitor.


This is a model of the Memorial itself. The sculptures are arranged in various spots on and around the Memorial.


More of the sculptures here. I pick up with more of this tomorrow.

36 comments:

  1. The Vimy Ridge Memorial is incredibly moving and special William, interesting to see here the individual smaller pieces that inspire the full sized memorial ✨

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  2. The sculptures are nicely done !

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  3. Quite a contrast from the colorful rainbow post from yesterday! Love both. Janis GDP

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  4. Just leaving Ottawa today and we didn't make it to any of the museums. Had a fine time at the Byward Market, however, and went over to Gatineau to buy wine!

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  5. Those are amazing sculptures and do evoke a sense of awe and gratitude for their sacrifice.

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  6. Beautiful sculptures. Have a great week!

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  7. Stunning detail and atmosphere of mourning. Great photos

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  8. @Grace: they are a sight to see.

    @Iris: very much so.

    @Ella: definitely.

    @Francisco: thanks.

    @Gattina: indeed.

    @Tom: that they are.

    @Janis: thank you.

    @David: I hope you enjoyed the time here.

    @DJan: they certainly do.

    @RedPat: very much so.

    @Nancy: thank you.

    @Sharon: I agree.

    @Jan: quite so.

    @Maywyn: thanks!

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  9. I think it would be emotional to be around them!

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  10. When I went to the Vimy Memorial in 2005/6 it was draped in canvas as it was being refurbished.

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  11. Beautiful, elegant and emotional. And not something I’d think of as in a War Museum. This is where I’d spend my time if we were there.

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  12. This memorial is stunning -- a real gift, I think. So beautiful and boy, the talent to pull it off.

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  13. The memorial is very beautiful and impressive.

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  14. I really like seeing models of places as I visit. It gives you some perspective.

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  15. @Marie: it is.

    @Shammickite: yes, that was underway at the time.

    @Sallie: I think the War Museum gets things right.

    @Jeanie: Allward's vision was a masterpiece.

    @Bill: it certainly is that.

    @Beth: very much so.

    @Jennifer: it does, yes.

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  16. No sculpture, now matter how well done, can adequately capture the ultimate sacrifices people made during the war.

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  17. These are lovely and inspirational sculptures.

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  18. Amazing sculpture. The folds of cloth, wow!

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  19. Amazing sculptures William with such attention to detail.

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  20. @Revrunner: that's true.

    @Jack: they definitely are.

    @Catalyst: they were well done.

    @Catarina: indeed.

    @Kay: quite so.

    @Dianne: definitely.

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  21. The statues are quite pignant and moving:)

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  22. Such impressive sculptures here.

    All the best Jan

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  23. My son has been learning about Vimy Ridge and other battles in school recently, I wish they could go see this!

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