Date: ca1920
Size: 30.75" x 47" (78 x 120cms)
Condition: A+, newly linenbacked.
Artist: F. Galais
Description: Albert was the main town behind the lines for the Allies during the 1916 Somme battlefields. It lies on the main road that runs from Amiens eastwards to Bapaume, and this road between Albert and Bapaume runs straight across the Somme battlefields. In the centre of Albert is one of the most famous icons for the British in the Great War – the Golden Virgin on top of the Basilica. This is shown in the picture above in ruins. The golden statue of the Madonna holding aloft her child was visible from far away, and of course was an excellent target for enemy artillery. It was damaged fairly early on, in January 1915, and the statue was knocked from its pedestal but stayed leaning at an angle.
A superstition grew up among the soldiers that the war would end only when the statue fell. However, it remained in its leaning position all the time that Albert was in French and British hands.The Germans advanced into Albert during their Spring Offensive in 1918. Well aware that the tower could be used as an excellent observation point by the Germans, it was British artillery that then deliberately targeted it and the statue finally fell. Albert was retaken by the British four months later, and three months after this the War was over.
Size: 30.75" x 47" (78 x 120cms)
Condition: A+, newly linenbacked.
Artist: F. Galais
Description: Albert was the main town behind the lines for the Allies during the 1916 Somme battlefields. It lies on the main road that runs from Amiens eastwards to Bapaume, and this road between Albert and Bapaume runs straight across the Somme battlefields. In the centre of Albert is one of the most famous icons for the British in the Great War – the Golden Virgin on top of the Basilica. This is shown in the picture above in ruins. The golden statue of the Madonna holding aloft her child was visible from far away, and of course was an excellent target for enemy artillery. It was damaged fairly early on, in January 1915, and the statue was knocked from its pedestal but stayed leaning at an angle.
A superstition grew up among the soldiers that the war would end only when the statue fell. However, it remained in its leaning position all the time that Albert was in French and British hands.The Germans advanced into Albert during their Spring Offensive in 1918. Well aware that the tower could be used as an excellent observation point by the Germans, it was British artillery that then deliberately targeted it and the statue finally fell. Albert was retaken by the British four months later, and three months after this the War was over.