V.E. Day, 8th May 1945

Details

Michael Rothenstein, R.A. (1908-1993)
V.E. Day, 8th May 1945
signed and dated 'Michael Rothenstein '45' (lower left)
ink and watercolour
14 x 18 in. (35.6 x 45.8 cm.)

Exhibited

Chichester, Pallant House Gallery, Flowers of Peace: British Art and Design in 1945, June - August 1995, not numbered.
Aldeburgh, Peter Pears Gallery, Festival Exhibition, June 2006, no. 39.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

On 8 May 1945 Winston Churchill made a radio broadcast announcing that the war in Europe had come to an end, following the capitulation of Germany the day before. Massive celebrations took place, notably in London, where over a million people celebrated in a carnival atmosphere and crowds massed in Trafalgar Square and up The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where Their Royal Highnesses King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, appeared on the balcony of the Palace to cheering crowds. Rothenstein executed three watercolours on V.E. Day, including the present work.

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