Australian Infantry Forces, David Henry Souter, 1920
Artist
David Henry Souter
(1862 - 1935)
Date1920
Object numberV00055524
NameMural
MediumOil paints, cardboard, wood.
DimensionsOverall: 665 x 4075 mm, 22.2 kg
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection
DescriptionSix murals painted by David henry Souter (1862 - 1935) between 1920 and 1934 that depict the birth of the ANZAC legend and the surf lifesaving movement. With his military and surf lifesaving background, Souter was ideally placed to explore themes of heroism and self-sacrifice to create these monumental allegorical panels for the walls of the Bondi Surf Bathers Lifesaving Club, his largest surviving work. The oil panels depict themes using images that have shaped Australian identity - the diggers at Gallipoli, bush pioneers, the bronzed surf life saver and a fit and healthy population enjoying their leisure at the beach.SignificanceThe murals painted by D H Souter to hang on the walls of the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club depict the birth of the Anzac legend and the emergence of the lifesaver watching over the beach. This is Souter's largest surviving work and was painted between 1920 and 1934, the allegorical work depicts the lifesaver as an icon of Australian manhood.
Souter, along with artists such as Sydney Long and Norman and Lionel Lindsay was part of a movement known as the Australian Classical revivalists that blended
classical figures and pagan spirits with Australian landscapes. Their work was closely linked with the nationalism of the pre-Federation and post WW1 periods.
The murals are bold and evocative, all five panels combined, reflect themes including heroism, defence, militarism, self-sacrifice, the surf-life saving movement and beach culture in Australia. The final panel is of particular interest for its depiction of swimwear and the beach culture that had emerged in Australia by the 1930s.
D H Souter was a prolific illustrator, cartoonist, journalist and poet who worked for numerous publications including The Bulletin. He was a long time Bondi resident and President of the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club from 1920-21. He illustrated over 50 books and many of his illustrations are held in the collections of the Art Gallery of NSW and the National Gallery of Australia. Many of his unpublished works are held in the Mitchell Library. Works by Souter held in other collections differ substantially in scale and style, the mural is a highly significant example of his large scale works.
