Two extraordinary paintings hang together here in the Normandy section of the World War Two gallery at the War Museum. Invasion Pattern Normandy is by Eric Aldwinkle, depicting the air perspective of the D-Day landings. D-Day: The Assault is from the point of view of those on the beach itself fighting their way from the water. Orville Fisher was a commissioned Canadian war artist who had the peculiar distinction of being the only war artist who landed on the beaches of Normandy that day. While everyone else was fighting around him, he took out his pencil and waterproof sketchpad, and started to sketch what was happening.
The quotes here speak volumes of that day. By the end of the day, Canadian soldiers had pushed further inland than their British and American counterparts.
A door leads out onto a balcony. The visitor gets a look at the Lebreton Gallery below, where tanks and other military equipment from a variety of countries and eras is to be found. A guide was speaking with visitors.
The Normandy campaign became a vicious one for the Allies.
Really? That is extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteOperation Overlord!
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of the end.
Delete...aren't all the battles bloody?
ReplyDeleteThey are.
DeleteThe horrors.
ReplyDeleteIt had to be done.
DeleteThank you for this very interesting look at WWII history and for introducing Orville Fisher to me.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteThis is Denise (English Girl Rambles. Not sure why I came in as anonymous today.
ReplyDeleteIt happens.
DeleteNormandy was a rough one ~ good exhibit ~ thanks
ReplyDeletehttps://anartistreflects.com
You're welcome.
DeleteThe battle and suffering of the days around D-Day are still palpable at the foot of the chalk cliffs on the French north coast
ReplyDeleteI would very much like to see it.
DeleteMy Dad arrived in Normandy just after D-Day and fought across France and Germany for the next year. He was in the battle of the bulge and eventually in Berlin at wars end. It was an experience he seldom talked about.
ReplyDeleteTotally understandable.
DeleteI should think this would be an especially moving area in the museum. The paintings are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt has a strong effect on the visitor.
Deletephotos of history are always good to have but an artist's sketch is way better as you get to see it from their point of view.
ReplyDeleteWar art really makes an impression.
Delete