Marching Men, 1916

Image: IWM (Art.IWM ART 5218)

709740202
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Description

Object description

image: a view of a column of French infantry marching swiftly. They are distinctive in their red trousers, blue tunics and peaked kepis.

Physical description

Framed and mounted pastel drawing.

Label

The body of inseparable, marching soldiers, grimly driving and being driven on, was a theme Nevinson explored under various titles in oil, drypoint, pastel, charcoal and, in an illustration in 'Blast', either pen and ink or woodcut. Clearly, he believed he was describing an essential aspect of the War as he had witnessed it. Although there is no obvious force that moves them on – legs and arms are reduced to blurs – equally there is no means of escape or let-up. The contrast with the happy marching men of contemporary recruiting posters is striking and emphasizes the dread of Nevinson's imagery.

Label

This work is a pastel version of 'Returning to the Trenches', and was produced two years later. The change in title removes both the destination and the purpose of the exercise, de-humanising the action. Nevinson continued to develop the theme of marching men in a variety of media throughout the War.

Inscription

C.R.W. Nevinson

Object Details

Category

Art

Creator

Nevinson, C R W

Production date

1916

Materials

Frame: wood

Frame: perspex

Support: paper

Mount: board

medium: pastel

Dimensions

Frame: Depth 29 mm., Height 450 mm., Width 602 mm.

Support: Height 201 mm., Width 260 mm.

Mount: Height 407 mm., Width 557 mm.

Catalogue number

Art.IWM ART 5218

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

French Army
Associated events

01/3(4-15)
Western Front, First World War
Associated places

France
Germany (pre 1945 and post 1990) DE
France
Associated keywords

Military Personnel
military manoeuvres
roads
Uniforms
Weapons
Associated themes

French Army 1914-1918
Western Front 1914-1918

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Object Details

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

Associated events

Associated places

Associated keywords

Associated themes

Our collections information

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