Kiek Halewijn - Wacht mitrailleurs! 1939

Kiek Halewijn (1910-1948)

Wacht mitrailleurs!

Annotated lower left “Wacht mitrailleurs! 19 Sep 1939”

Pencil on paper

19.5 x 21.5 cm

Frame: 33 x 35.5 cm

Condition:

Very good.

Provenance:

Private collection, Haarlem.

Information:

This drawing by the Dutch artist Kiek Halewijn depicts two young soldiers lying in the grass, seemingly relaxed and innocent. Executed in pencil, it is characterised by a soft, sketch-like style in which the light interplay of lines emphasises the tranquillity and vulnerability of the situation.

The drawing was made shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War, a period in which the threat of conflict was drawing ever closer. Although the men are shown in a moment of rest, the subject of young soldiers underscores the tragedy of war. It presents the paradox of youthful innocence set against the harsh reality of their sacrifice for their country. The choice of an everyday moment, resting in the grass, makes the scene all the more poignant, as it emphasises their humanity.

The composition emphasises the soldiers’ closeness and camaraderie, but also their individual vulnerability. The work carries a strong symbolism, with the quiet of the moment contrasting with the approaching uncertainties of war. The date, 19 September 1939, places it in its historical context, shortly after the German invasion of Poland and the beginning of a conflict that would tear Europe apart.

Halewijn succeeds in filling an apparently peaceful scene with a deeper emotional charge. The work reminds the viewer of the innocence of youth, lost in the struggle for a greater ideal, and of the human side of those involved in the conflict.