Anzac, the Landing 1922

George Washington Lambert created this oil painting, “Anzac, the Landing,” to capture a defining moment in Australian history. The image depicts the rugged landscape of Gallipoli, Turkey, during the 1915 landing of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, or ANZAC troops, in World War I. The painting minimizes individual heroism, focusing instead on the challenging terrain and the collective experience of war. This reflects a shift in war art away from glorifying conflict towards portraying its harsh realities. Lambert, himself an official war artist, was commissioned to document the Australian war effort, shaping the public's perception of the conflict. His work, displayed in national collections, contributed to the construction of national identity. Art historians use archival materials and institutional records to understand how war art like this was used to shape public opinion and contribute to national narratives. Ultimately, the meaning of this painting lies in its complex relationship with the social and political context of its time.