Dimensions
187 x 233 x 37mm
Will Dyson (1880-1938) was an outstanding artist. He was one of the best-ever cartoonists in Britain; certainly no cartoonist has been more hard-hitting. Born in Australia, he struggled to find a niche for his prodigious talents in his homeland, but he burst into prominence in London with startling cartoons of extraordinary vigour and resource.
His sensational whole-page cartoons in a turbulent industrial and political climate made him a stunning overnight success and his artwork brilliantly summed up the mood of the era: politically engaged, radical, egalitarian and displaying great sensitivity and compassion for the life of ordinary people. During the Great War, Dyson became a front-line war artist. With outstanding drawings of profound empathy and sympathy he produced a unique record of the Western Front experience. Once again he complemented his art with exquisite writing. In 1919 he drew his most famous cartoon, 'Peace and Future Cannon Fodder'. It predicted not only that the tainted Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I would produce another world war but, remarkably, also the actual year that hostilities would begin.
Written by award-winning historian Ross McMullin, this absorbing, illuminating and lavishly illustrated book is a fascinating story that is sure to appeal to present-day admirers of Dyson. With over one hundred examples of Dyson's artwork plus a 16 page colour section, it will also entertain and enlighten others about the life and work of a remarkable Australian artist.
