Additional information
| Country | British |
|---|---|
| Region | North American |
ArtistWhistler, Rex
Artist Years1905-1944
Artist NationalityBritish
TitleThe Singing Sergeant
Year1944
MediumDrawing > Pencil/Graphite
DimensionsSheet: 7 X 4.7 inches
Description
Historically important graphite drawing on a ruled notepad page, signed at bottom, tipped onto a smooth sheet of stiff support. Accompanied with a typed note explaining the circumstance leading to Whistler’s death a few weeks after this drawing was made.
NotesThe text from the attached note on the back of the drawing reads:
"The sketch was drawn at Brighton in May 1944 while the 2nd (Armoured Recce) Battalion, The Welsh Guards was completing its preparations for the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, 6 June, 1944.
Rex Whistler, who was killed in action only weeks later, was visiting the Sergeants Mess as Battalion Duty Officer in order lo close it at midnight, or later if persuaded!
The artist sketched Sergeant Adams, who was singing to entertain his fellow mess members, on a page of a Field Message Pad and gave the drawing to another member of the Sergeants Mess who retained it ever since."