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Print
404813
  • Title
    [Horseman, ca 1918-1920] / drawn by George Washington Lambert
  • Creator
  • Call number
    SSV*/Sp Coll/Lambert/1
  • Level of description
    fonds
  • Date

    ca 1918-1920
  • Type of material
  • Reference code
    404813
  • Physical Description
    Drawings - 12.5 x 19.2 cm. - 1 pen and ink sketch
  • ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

    George Washington Lambert (1873-1930), artist, was born on 13 September 1873 at St Petersburg. He migrated with his family on 20 January 1887, soon went to Eurobla, near Warren, a sheep-station owned by his great-uncle Robert Firth. On the outbreak of World War I Lambert, was unable to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force in London. In December 1917 he was appointed an official war artist, A.I.F., with the honorary rank of lieutenant, and commissioned to execute twenty-five sketches and to paint 'The Charge of the Light Horse at Beersheba' on 31 October 1917. He arrived at Alexandria, Egypt, in January 1918. Despite contracting malaria, he embarked for Marseilles, France, in May with over 130 sketches, many of which were exhibited later that year at the Royal British Colonial Society of Artists' War and Peace Exhibition. In January 1919, as honorary captain, he visited Gallipoli on the historical mission with C.E.W. Bean. Bean noted that Lambert 'was, I think, more sensitive than the rest of us to the tragedy - or at any rate the horror - of Anzac'. Lambert impressed on Bean that he wanted 'a clear military "operation order" setting out the work to be done'. After recovering from dysentery in Cairo he visited Palestine, returning to London in August. He returned to Australia in 1921 and died on 29 May 1930 at Cobbity, near Camden. He was buried in the Anglican section of South Head cemetery. Australian Dictionary of Biography online edition.
  • General note

    This image is a preliminary sketch for 'The charge of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba, 31 October 1917'. Lambert began this work in 1918, and completed the painting in 1920. The painting depicts the Australian Light Horsemen dismounting, and from the side rather than face on.
    Further reference: 'George W. Lambert retrospective : heroes & icons' / Anne Gray, ML Q759.994/682. ML MSS 97/11 pp 201-211, contains listing of G.W. Lambert's works exhibited and offered for sale from his estate. ML Q759.29/L, 'Lambert Memorial Exhibition, Anthony Horderns' Fine Art Gallery, September 25th, until October 15th, 1930, catalogue'.
  • Signatures / Inscriptions

    Unsigned; undated; untitled.
    On back of work is inscribed: 'Sydney Ure Smith Estate, March 1950'
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