The Battle of Britain

The 'L' Press. Forging the Jacket of an 18-inch Gun: Armstrong-Whitworth Works, Openshaw, 1918

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Catalogue number
  • Art.IWM ART 2272
Production date
1918
Place made
Great Britain
Subject period
Materials
  • medium: oil
  • support: canvas
Dimensions
  • Support: Height 1838 mm
  • Support: Width 2145 mm
  • Frame: Height 202 x 233.5 x 7 cm mm
Alternative Names
  • object category: painting
Creator
Category
art

License Image

Object description

image: The interior view of a munitions factory showing the manufacture of 18' guns with munition workers. A figure in suit and bowler hat stands in the foreground. There is a warm orange light spread over the scene emitted from the forge in the right of the composition.

Label

The 18-inch gun was one of the largest calibre artillery pieces employed by British forces; indeed a replica 18-inch gun barrel was exhibited at the Imperial War Museum’s first home at the Crystal Palace in 1920. Compared to Clausen’s munitions interior (see IWM ART 1984) Airy’s painting is less dramatic but altogether lighter and more informative. She was particularly keen to convey the rapidly changing colours of cooling molten metal.

History note

Ministry of Information commission. Commission administration transferred to Imperial War Museum.

Inscription

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