Canadian Cavalry and Tanks

Canadian Cavalry and Tanks

 Alfred T.J. Bastien

  Presented by the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire in memory of the Men and Women of the Empire who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918.
Colour Lithograph, with embossed blind stamp of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire IODE Proof (bottom left) Published by Fine Arts Publishing Co. London n/d.[1918]. Image: 20 1/2 x 26"  22 x 26" (56 x 66 cm) including letters   Frame: 26 1/4 x 30 1/4"
Ref. CG16 (210)/DLN/ r.ande>ONN  PRICE CODE  D 

Dramatically depicts Canadian mounted Cavalry and Mark V Tanks in action during the advance near Arras in September 1918. Although cavalry harassed retreating German forces during the open fighting that marked the Hundred Days, tanks, two of which are visible here on the skyline at left, played a more prominent and effective role.
The original painting hangs in the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Canada. Published and Produced for the I.O.D.E. by the Fine Arts Publishing Company Limited London, Copyright in London and Washington.
Alfred Theodore Joseph Bastien (1873-1955) was a Belgian artist, academic, and soldier. He was seconded at the request of Lord Beaverbrook as a war artist to the Canadian 22nd Battalion, during which time he produced many works of art specifically related to the Canadian war experience.

I.O.D.E. was founded in 1900 by Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal. During the periods of World War I and II, IODE members assisted with the purchase of hospitals, hospital ships, ambulances, bomber and fighter aircraft and sent field comforts for Canadian service personnel, relief to prisoners of war and refugee camps, established libraries and canteens for servicemen and contributed millions of volunteer hours to the service of Canada.