Menin Gate at Midnight
Encyclopedia
Menin Gate at Midnight is a 1927
painting by Australian artist Will Longstaff
. The painting depicts a host of ghostly soldiers marching across a field in front of the Menin Gate
war memorial. The painting is part of the collection of the Australian War Memorial
in Canberra
.
Longstaff painted the work after attending the unveiling of the Menin Gate memorial, at Ypres
in Belgium, on 24 July 1927. The memorial commemorated those men of the British Empire
, including Australia, who died in the battles of the First World War around the town. Walking around the streets of Ypres after the ceremony, Longstaff was said to have seen a "vision of steel-helmeted spirits rising from the moonlit cornfields around him". Returning to London, Longstaff was reported to have painted the work in a single session, while "still under psychic influence".
The painting was immediately popular. It was purchased by Lord Woolavington for 2,000 Guinea
s and presented to the Australian government. After a royal command viewing for George V
and the Royal family at Buckingham Palace, the painting was displayed in Manchester and Glasgow. It was then taken around Australia, where record crowds paid to view the work. Longstaff oversaw the making of 2,000 prints and 400 of these were given to the nascent Australian War Memorial
to sell to raise funds.
The success of this work lead Longstaff to paint three later companion pieces with a similar ghostly, spiritualist theme:
1927 in art
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painting by Australian artist Will Longstaff
Will Longstaff
Captain William Frederick Longstaff was an Australian painter and war artist best known for his works commemorating those who died in the First World War.-Birth and education:...
. The painting depicts a host of ghostly soldiers marching across a field in front of the Menin Gate
Menin Gate
The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a war memorial in Ypres, Belgium dedicated to the commemoration of British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of the First World War and whose graves are unknown...
war memorial. The painting is part of the collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia...
in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
.
Longstaff painted the work after attending the unveiling of the Menin Gate memorial, at Ypres
Ypres
Ypres is a Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus, Elverdinge, Hollebeke, Sint-Jan, Vlamertinge, Voormezele, Zillebeke, and Zuidschote...
in Belgium, on 24 July 1927. The memorial commemorated those men of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, including Australia, who died in the battles of the First World War around the town. Walking around the streets of Ypres after the ceremony, Longstaff was said to have seen a "vision of steel-helmeted spirits rising from the moonlit cornfields around him". Returning to London, Longstaff was reported to have painted the work in a single session, while "still under psychic influence".
The painting was immediately popular. It was purchased by Lord Woolavington for 2,000 Guinea
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
s and presented to the Australian government. After a royal command viewing for George V
George V
George V was king of the United Kingdom and its dominions from 1910 to 1936.George V or similar terms may also refer to:-People:* George V of Georgia * George V of Imereti * George V of Hanover...
and the Royal family at Buckingham Palace, the painting was displayed in Manchester and Glasgow. It was then taken around Australia, where record crowds paid to view the work. Longstaff oversaw the making of 2,000 prints and 400 of these were given to the nascent Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia...
to sell to raise funds.
The success of this work lead Longstaff to paint three later companion pieces with a similar ghostly, spiritualist theme:
- Immortal shrine (Eternal silence) – showing ghostly soldiers marching past the Cenotaph in London on Remembrance DayRemembrance DayRemembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
- Ghosts of Vimy Ridge (1931) – depicting men of the Canadian CorpsCanadian CorpsThe Canadian Corps was a World War I corps formed from the Canadian Expeditionary Force in September 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. The corps was expanded by the addition of the 3rd Canadian Division in December 1915 and the 4th Canadian Division in August 1916...
at Vimy Ridge. - Carillon (1932) – with New Zealand soldiers in Belgium hearing the bells in their native country.