A Canadian Soldier 1918

Augustus John captured this anonymous "Canadian Soldier" in oil paint. The painting provides us with a glimpse into the human face of war and the individuals caught in its machinery. John, as a war artist during both World Wars, was tasked with portraying the conflict's impact. This portrait moves beyond propaganda, focusing on the youth and vulnerability of a soldier. There is a sense of the soldier's identity being consumed by his role, his personal narrative overshadowed by the uniform he wears. How does the artist treat the topic of the subject’s identity? It’s interesting that we don’t have the soldier’s name, and the artist reduces the subject’s identity to his uniform. This representation underscores how war strips individuals of their unique identities, casting them into collective roles. The painting serves as a poignant reminder of war's impact on personal identity.