TITLE OF A WAR PICTURE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17350, 15 May 1924, Page 3

TITLE OF A WAR PICTURE

LORD BIRKENHEAD AND ARTIST. “ GLITTERING PRIZES.” (Special to the “ Star. ’ ) LONDON, M s xch 29. A Memorial do Ottfr Heroic Speakers, from a Few Unknown Soldiers,” is the title of one of three satirical pictures by Mr C. R. W. Xevinson which will bo ou private view at the Leicester Galleries this week. This is not the title originally chosen by the artist, and behind the correction ” lies a remarkable story, which is not without its humorous side, concerning an ex-Lord Chancellor. Mr Nevinson made the alteration in the title on Tuesday night. Yesterday morning ho paid a hurried visit to the galleries, and made a slight alteration to the picture itself. Id was. on the face of it, only a minor matter—a. few dabs of white paint at the top of tho picture—but it had magical results. Before the two alterations were made—the one to the title and the other to the picture—there was a possibility of litigation—now there is Peace. All of which should be very satisfactory to everybody concerned, including the former Lord Chancellor, because the three pictures are now embraced in the one title, 11 Peace.” BATTLEFIELD SCENE. On Tuesday morning the title was “ Glittering Prizes,” and the secondary title, which concerned, the main picture. was “ A Peace Memorial to Our Heroic (After-Dinner) Speakers, from a Few Unknown Soldiers.” The picture represents a battlefield after the fighting is over. Tho bodies of the fallen lie entangled in twisted barbed wire, while the wounded are being carried away by stretcher-bearers. At the top of the canvas was a champagne glass, with two cigars, crossed, underneath. The glass and the cigars have been painted out by the artist, who has left a white, cloudy patch to represent, according to Mr Phillips, of the Leicester Galleries, a Verey light exploding. STOUT ARMS AND SHARP SWORDS.” Someone drew the Earl of Birkenhead’s attention to the picture and to the title, “ Glittering Prizes ” These two words j it will be recalled, were used by the Earl of Birkenhead in his much-discussed Rectorial address at Glasgow University, when he said : 11 The world continues to offer glittering prizes to those who have stout arms and sharp swords.” The Earl of Birkenhead took exception to the use of the words in connec-

ion with Mr Nevinson’s satirical pictures, and demanded their withdrawal. Mr Nevinson, who says that Lord Birkenhead was not in his mind when he selected the title, readily agreed to the alteration. Mr Phillips, of Messrs Ernest Brown and Phillips, the proprietors of the Leicester Galleries, discussing the mater yesterday, said that neither bis firm nor Mr Nevinson had any political purpose in view. ' rl We are not politicians,” he said, “and Mr Nevinson chose the words simply because of their satirical significance.” The other two pictures represent exService men singing in the street for alms, and “ Success,” typified by a prosperous-looking man and woman iu a box at a theatre.