As a study in art history critical theory, this paper looks at the appreciation and usage of art amongst interest groups at the time of the Great War and the subsequent legacy of the work of Canada＇s resident war art...As a study in art history critical theory, this paper looks at the appreciation and usage of art amongst interest groups at the time of the Great War and the subsequent legacy of the work of Canada＇s resident war artist Richard Jack. The Canadian War Museum＇s recent web page described Jack＇s standing officer in The Second Battle of Ypres 22 April to 25 May 1915 as one who ＂exemplifies the courage and resolve of the inexperienced Canadians in their first major battle＂. This comment showed a marked contrast to the contemporary art critic Richard Cork who described the first of the Canadian war memorials paintings as ＂a clich6-ridden bandaged officer ... shamelessly catering to public sentiment＂. Given these disparate positions, the author attempts to explain the gulf between these points of view and subsequently make the case that art has a broad application that might make us cautious of viewing a given work without due consideration of the context of its making and future merits.展开更多
文摘As a study in art history critical theory, this paper looks at the appreciation and usage of art amongst interest groups at the time of the Great War and the subsequent legacy of the work of Canada＇s resident war artist Richard Jack. The Canadian War Museum＇s recent web page described Jack＇s standing officer in The Second Battle of Ypres 22 April to 25 May 1915 as one who ＂exemplifies the courage and resolve of the inexperienced Canadians in their first major battle＂. This comment showed a marked contrast to the contemporary art critic Richard Cork who described the first of the Canadian war memorials paintings as ＂a clich6-ridden bandaged officer ... shamelessly catering to public sentiment＂. Given these disparate positions, the author attempts to explain the gulf between these points of view and subsequently make the case that art has a broad application that might make us cautious of viewing a given work without due consideration of the context of its making and future merits.
