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Date: |
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Description: | C.R.W. Nevinson
image: a view of a column of French infantry marching swiftly. They are distinctive in their red trousers, blue tunics and
peaked kepis.
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.
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. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | 01/3(4-15) French Army Weapons Western Front 1914-1918 Military Personnel military manoeuvres French Army 1914-1918 Uniforms Western Front First World War roads | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Nevinson, C R W | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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