THE ETERNAL SILENCE

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 276, 21 November 1928, Page 7

THE ETERNAL SILENCE

New War Picture May Be Bought For Australia.

FAINTED IN 18 HOURS.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.} (Received 10.30 a.m.l LONDON, November 20. Will Longstaff, the well-known artist, has painted a canvas, 9ft by 4ft Sin, depicting a phantom army in war kit marching through Whitehall- and passing the Cenotaph. It is a companion to the picture, "The Ghosts of Menin Gate."

The new picture lias sombre blueblack buildings dissolving into a black horizon with arc lamps shimmering on rain-soaked streets, bringing the bluesilver relief of the Cenotaph outstanding in gauntly white from which colourful flags are draped, whilst throughout the scene soldiers are delineated in bold white lines carrying phantom banners. Lady Ryrie, wife of the Australian High Commissioner, Sir Granville Ryrie, who is at present indisposed, and the Agents-General attended a private viewing whilst the paint was still wet. The artist commenced at midday on Monday and worked incessantly, finishing the picture at six this morning. Colonel Williams, formerly of the A.1.F., has offered to contribute the first £100, hoping others will contribute to present the picture to the Commonwealth. The suggested title is "The Eternal Silence."

The painting, "The Ghosts of Menin Gate," was purchased by Lord Woolavington, head of the famous Scottish dietillers, Buchanans, Ltd., and presented to the Commonwealth as a token of his appreciation of the Australian Forces during the war.