| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART41024 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall: 600 x 863 x 500 cm; height of largest figure: 52 cm; height of smallest figure: 18 cm |
| Object type | Diorama |
| Physical description | figures: dry colour on lead; backgrounds: synthetic polymer paint; modelling: dry colour on plaster over wood and wire armature; plaster Base repaired with fibreglass matting |
| Maker |
Anderson, Wallace McCubbin, Louis Frederick Modelling Sub-section, Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne |
| Place made | Australia: Victoria, Melbourne, Australia: Victoria, Melbourne |
| Date made | 1927-1929 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Romani
Description
The sculptor Wallace Anderson was chosen to work on 'Romani' as he had been to the battlefields to collect information and had served in the First World War. The diorama shows the Australian counter attack against the Turkish forces on the long dune of Mount Meredith on 4 August 1916. It records a turning point in the operations of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. The Turks were routed and as a result their advance through the Sinai towards the Suez Canal was checked. 'Romani' took over two years to complete, with Louis McCubbin painting the background and models. The figures were cast in 1930 - 1931. It was restored in 1971, with a new background by George Browning inserted obscuring the original McCubbin painting. It was again restored and repainted by George Browning, assisted by Rob Slater, in 1987.