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Ellis Silas Water Colour Painting

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Ellis Luciano Silas

1915

Overview

Watercolour painting on paper that depicts the ships at anchor of the Second Convoy that transported Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) troops to the First World War. In the foreground the submarine HMAS AE2 is depicted. The artwork is in a gold-gilt frame.

Historical information

This watercolour painting depicts the ships and HMAS AE2 submarine at anchor of the Second Convoy that departed Albany, Western Australia on 31st December 1914. The convoy transported Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) troops to the First World War. The artist Ellis Silas was a member of the 16th Battalion and onboard one of the ships part of the convoy where he captured the moment in this artwork. This artwork depicts his experience as being part of the Second Convoy and presenting Silas’s first interest in marine art.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2019.15.1

Item type

Paintings

Material

Paper

Width

165 mm

Height or length

233 mm

Depth

1 mm

Themes

Art and Design

People

War and Conflict

Inscriptions and markings

In the bottom right hand corner it is signed ‘Ellis Silas 1915 16th Bn 4’ Inf Bdge’. On the reverse 'The Australian Transport Fleet in the Indian Ocean, January 1915. European War 1914. Watercolour painted by signaller Ellis Silas, 16th Battalion 4th Brigade'. Also has framing instructions '3" brown mount all round. 1/2" S. Walnut old pattern, stained dark.'

Keywords

Year

1915

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance