A native of MontrΘal, Arthur Nantel (1872-1948) had no formal art training, but his natural talent enabled him to work as an artist and illustrator. He was active in advertising before the First World War. In August 1914 Nantel enlisted in the 14th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, with which he proceeded overseas. His active participation in the war was brief, for in April 1915 he was captured at the Second Battle of Ypres (illustration 5). As a prisoner he worked in a succession of places - a steel mill, a stone quarry, a farm, and finally in a potash mine near Giessen, Germany. While a prisoner, he was permitted to sketch and paint. The work that he eventually contributed to the Canadian War Memorials Collection was created during his captivity and after his release.
Nantel frequently depicted himself in his works; in this one he is the hatless figure with his head bandaged. Note the soldiers with the blue tunics and red caps; these were French troops who had been captured at the same time as the artist. About a year later the French Army uniform was changed to less conspicuous colours.
Courtesy: Canadian War Museum, National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada (8620)
