In this period of time where we still face the constant threat of war on all corners of the globe, we need to remind ourselves of the cost to humanity.
Bertha painted this Delville Wood work in 1926, 10 years after the battle of Delvill Wood which claimed the lives of almost 3000 South African soldiers in just 5 days.
However amongst the destruction, I see this as an uplifting picture - the burnt out trees stand like sentinels guarding the land and the halo of white cloud draws the eye up towards the sky and the heavens, releasing the souls of those who gave their lives.
Only ten works by Bertha Everard, of Delville Wood survive. This is one of the larger pieces and is regarded as the companion piece to the Delville Wood which hangs in South Africa House Embassy, London.
