WILSON, ERIC (1911-1946)

"Mont Quentin Looking Along Road From Peronne Running To Allaines" (1939)
mixed media
cm
unsigned
*estate of Douglas Watson
 
Wilson was a famous Australian Modernist & War Artist. He won the New South Wales Travelling Art Scholarship in 1937. With this scholarship, Wilson relocated to England for two years. He studied under Henry Moore and Elmslie Owen. During his time in England, he also went to the Netherlands, Italy and Paris, France.His painting of Scott Street, Glasgow is a scene two hundred yards north of Glasgow School of Art. Glasgow School of Art stands on Scott Street, Glasgow but is behind the artist's viewpoint. He returned to Australia and began creating works in the cubist style. He was commissioned by Keith Murdoch, who had Wilson work at his home in Murrumbidgee Shire. His work is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and National Gallery of Victoria.
 
This sketch was produced en plein air on the Somme, the scene of ANZAC conflict in World War I. It was completed  shortly after Wilson was enlisted as an Official War Artist in World War II. Other similar sketches taken from his sketchbook are represented in the Australian War Memorial permanent collection.