1915 hand-painted Christmas card - Malines, Belgium

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1915

Overview

World War One era Christmas card featuring a greyscale photo of medical staff and patients in a military hospital framed by hand-painted, decorative ivy leaves and buds. Underneath the photograph is a depiction of burning buildings with the text 'Noel 1915' (Christmas 1915) written in black above and 'Malines' below.
The card itself is rusty brown in colour and has a textured surface resembling fabric. The yellow-green ivy contrasts with the brown card and the fiery scene below.
The back of the card is blank.

Historical information

Malines (now known as Mechelen) is a city and municipality in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish Region of Belgium.
On September 28, 1914, the Germans captured Malines while advancing on Antwerp and it remained under German occupation until the Armistice on 11 November 1918.
This card is one of a pair. presumably made by the same person and featuring the same central photograph of medical staff with their patients.
However, the colours and themes are quite different, with this card being dynamic with the card and subject matter representing flames and destruction, while the other has a calmer green background with village snow scenes.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00388

Item type

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1