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Trench Life in Silhouette by H. L. Oakley
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Trench Life in Silhouette by H. L. Oakley
First hand impressions, visualised on the spot of the daily and nightly routine of the firing line on the Western Front during World War I. Silhouettes cut by Second Lieutenant H. L. Oakley, the man with the magic scissors who had a long career as a silhouette artists and cut the portraits of many famous people and royalty. This appears to be Oakleys first silhouette published in The Bystander. He would make many more contributions during the war, and in other ILN publications such as Holly Leaves in the 1940s and 50s
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Media ID 4483063
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10475028
Conflict Firing Lieutenant Oakley Silhouettes Trench Trenches
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Trench Life in Silhouette
EDITORS COMMENTS
by Second Lieutenant H.L. Oakley: A Glimpse into the Daily and Nightly Routine of the Western Front during World War I This evocative silhouette, titled "Trench Life in Silhouette," was created by Second Lieutenant H.L. Oakley in 1916, during the height of the Western Front conflict. The image, published for the first time in The Bystander, offers a unique and poignant insight into the daily and nightly routine of life in the trenches. Oakley, a skilled silhouette artist with a long and distinguished career, was known for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with just a pair of scissors. His magic touch had earned him the privilege of creating portraits for many famous people and even royalty. However, it was during the war that Oakley's art took on a new significance. The silhouette depicts the harsh reality of life in the trenches, with soldiers going about their duties, oblivious to the looming danger. The silhouettes of the soldiers are interspersed with the silhouettes of the tools and equipment that were an integral part of their existence. The contrast between the dark, ominous sky and the dimly lit trench below adds to the sense of isolation and vulnerability. This image is a testament to Oakley's ability to capture the essence of a moment in time, and to convey the raw emotions and realities of life on the Western Front. Oakley would go on to make many more contributions to various ILN publications, including Holly Leaves in the 1940s and 50s, providing a visual record of history that continues to resonate with audiences today. The silhouette serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the soldiers during the war, and the resilience and determination that sustained them through the most challenging of circumstances. It is a poignant and enduring symbol of a time in history that continues to shape our understanding of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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