David Alexander Colville (1920- ) was born in Toronto but in 1929 his family moved to Nova Scotia and he later studied art at Mount Allison University. Upon graduation in 1942, he enlisted in the Canadian Army. Although his artistic talent was recognized, it was not until the autumn of 1943 that he was commissioned as an official war artist. Colville reached Britain in May 1944 and his early wartime paintings dealt with military training in Yorkshire. In August he covered the landings in southern France, and later he observed and recorded operations in northwestern Europe. After returning to Canada in October 1945, Colville spent six months working up some watercolours into oil paintings. An example of this process is the oil painting (60.9 x 91.6 cm) seen here; it was based upon an earlier watercolour Dead Paratrooper, Near Deventer, Holland. Colville saw this corpse in its pastoral setting on 11 April, 1945. The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was driving northward through Holland and had liberated the town of Deventer. Although opposition was crumbling some German units, such as the 6th Parachute Division, continued to fight. Note that the dead soldier's boots had been removed; an extra or replacement pair of boots were always a welcome prize for an infantryman.
What is the mood conveyed by this painting? How has the artist used such elements as colour and composition to achieve this effect? For additional information on the life and work of Alex ColvilIe consult Helen J. Dow, The Art of Alex Colville (Toronto: McGraw- Hill, Ryerson, 1972).
Courtesy: Canadian War Museum, National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada (12219)
