The Tragic Group: The Russian Invasion of Finland

-

The Tragic Group: The Russian Invasion of Finland 

Artist: Merlyn Oliver Evans

With the Ukraine Russian War taking place Roger Cucksey, who was Keeper of Art In Newport Art Gallery over a period of over thirty years, has reminded us of the relevance of this painting.

The Winter War, also known as the First Soviet-Finnish War, was a war between the Soviet Union and Finland. The war began with a Soviet invasion of Finland on 30 November 1939, three months after the outbreak of World War II, and ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940.

The painting shows a large desolate landscape with a group of people in attitudes of despair in the foreground. It was first exhibited in 1956. It is tempera on a board. 

Born in Cardiff, Merlyn Oliver Evans (1910 -1973) studied first at the Glasgow School of Art and later at the Royal College of Art, where he would go on to teach at the end of his career. A gifted painter and graphic artist, Merlyn’s work became associated with the Surrealist movement, after he exhibited in the 1936 International Surrealist Exhibition, held in London.

Merlyn served as an engineer with the South African forces during the Second World War. This period had a profound effect on Merlyn’s artwork, which became dominated by anti-war subjects. The Tragic Group was one of his early anti-war paintings, inspired by the invasion of Finland by Russia in 1939. It is harrowing scene, depicting a group of civilians in complete despair, in a stark and desolate landscape.

The painting is a rare survival from Merlyn’s early period, as many of his early works were disposed of by his parents when he was called up. In 1983, Roger Cucksey (Newport Museums and Art Gallery’s Keeper of Art) was fortuitously introduced to Merlyn’s widow – Marjorie Evans. Marjorie invited Roger to her house in Hampstead, where the Tragic Group was hanging on the sitting room wall. Roger asked Marjorie if she would be willing to sell the painting. She was, and with grant aid from the V & A Purchase Fund, the painting was acquired for Newport Museum and Art Gallery.

Another painting not in our collection, but relevant at the moment re the conflict in Ukraine, is The Refugees, 1946, in National Museum Wales collection.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Roman Soldier Visits Newport Museum and Art Gallery

-
Image
  A Roman Soldier Visits Newport Museum and Art Gallery On Thursday Verdun Howells the Education Officer at the National Roman Legion Museum visited Newport Museum and Art Gallery. Many children came to see him and talk about his life as a Roman Soldier - something about which he knew a great deal having worked at the National Roman Legion Museum at Caerleon for many years. But he was also there to talk about the Roman collection in the museum and as he was in that section of the museum he was drawing attention to the excellent collection of artefacts. It is never easy to take photographs in the Museum because of the lighting which is designed to protect the exhibits. Here is Verdun dressed as a Roman Legionary and as there was no one in this section of the gallery at the time I asked him to draw his sword. This was something he had not been able to do when other people were in the gallery for health and safety reasons, but when I visited there was no one around.   Behind Verdun is a d
Read more

Musket Balls and Misconceptions

-
Image
Musket balls and misconceptions by Ray Stroud Artist unknown ©  Newport Museum and Art Gallery         Many youngsters through the years have found it difficult to resist the temptation of squeezing their fingers into the holes in the pillars of the Westgate Hotel.   We had all, probably, been regaled with stories of the Chartist attack on the Westgate, and of the musket balls that had penetrated the building during the battle.   But were these tales based on truth or myth?   In recent years, many in Newport have adopted the ‘myth’ position, arguing that they had been drilled into the pillars at a later date, possibly to attach gates or some other structure.   But does that theory line up with the historical evidence? The holes found in the pillars as they look today.  © Ray Stroud         The portico, which today sadly stands concealed behind sheets of chipboard, is the only remaining feature of a building that was constructed in 1799.   Interestingly, it is actual
Read more

Alex Jarvis and her family photographs of the 75th Anniversary of Newport Transporter Bridge in 1981

-
Image
  Alex Jarvis and her family photographs of the 75th Anniversary of Newport Transporter Bridge in 1981 Stunt Biplanes pass under Newport's Transporter Bridge to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the bridge. Newport Borough Council, as it was known in 1981, planned a 75th Anniversary of the opening of the Transporter Bridge which had taken place on September 12th 1906. They had several events planned. There was a horse and carriage procession from the Mansion House to the bridge carrying mayor Les Knight and other dignitaries. They travelled through Newport to the Bridge where a re-enactment of the opening was provided by Newport Playgoers. Trevor Jones played the part of Lord Tredegar who had switched on the current for the electrically operated bridge on the opening day. But something that really excited the public in 1981 was a dare devil birthday salute via aeroplane. Two stunt pilots made aviation history by swooping under the supports of the Transporter Bridge and thousands of
Read more