Leslie Cole (1910-1976): An Official War Artist in Malta

Caroline Miggiani has graduated from the University of Malta with a First Class Degree in History of Art (Honours). Her undergraduate thesis explored the role of British War Artists sent to Malta during WWII to create an artistic and visual record of the war.”

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The lecture will be held with the support of the Alfred Mizzi Foundation.In 1939 the War Artists Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Kenneth Clark appointed 37 full-time salaried artists to create an artistic testimony of Britain’s war effort “both at home and abroad.” In 1942 Leslie Cole accepted a six month appointment as an Official British War Artist and was duly nominated Ministry of Information Artist: Specializiation Malta – Royal Marines Subjects. Cole arrived in Malta in April 1943 and painted themes that caught his eye. Some of his ‘Malta war paintings’ were exhibited at the British Institute in Valletta in July 1943 under the patronage of the Governor, John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort.

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