INTRIGUING DINANT BELGIUM - MEUSE RIVER BAYARDS ROCK 1914 OIL PAINTING By A BURR

This auction is for an intriguing Oil Painting by A Burr during the Great War, November 1914 of The Meuse River looking toward Bayards Rock, Dinant Belgium which was a fund raiser with all funds going to the British & Belgian Relief Fund (by which early 1915, New Zealanders had sent over £37,000 to London for Belgium)

Mrs Burr of Ashburton painted 3 pictures of Belgium which were raffled, raising 51 pounds 11 shillings for the Ladies Britain & Belgian Relief Fund. This was her 2nd painting, which was apparently won by a Mrs JS Bland of Winchmore. A duplicate of one of the paintings was produced for an extra 5 pounds. (Ashburton Guardian 13 Oct & 30 Nov 1914)

The Battle of Dinant was fought by French & German forces in & around the Belgian town of Dinant during the First World War during the German invasion of Belgium

On 15 August 1914, German troops captured the Citadel of Dinant overlooking the town until it was recaptured by a French counter-attack during the afternoon

A German raiding-party drove into Dinant on the night of 21/22 August

On 23 August, the Germans attacked Dinant again, under the impression that the town was full of francs-tireurs The massacre was a systematic attack on assumed civilian resisters & was the largest German atrocity perpetrated during the invasion, which became known as The Rape of Belgium.

This oil painting is marked –

“View of Dinant – Belgium. On the river Meuse, showing the celebrated Bayard’s Rock.

Painted 1914 during the Great War – Proceeds given to the British & Belguim Relief Fund.

A Burr. Ashburton NZ Nov. 1914”

Measurements: 630mm Wide x 485mm High

Oil on canvas framed beautifully in a rich oak frame

This fascinating antique oil painting is in good antique condition. Wear is consistent with age & use. There are marks which is expected

A really intriguing piece of New Zealand History – A rare find!

No “Buy Now”

Pick up is Mandeville / Swannanoa