Gluck (Hannah Gluckstein) (1895-1978)

The Eighth Army was formed in 1941 and at its peak comprised of 220,000 men. A British formation, under the command of British officers, the Eighth Army incorporated units from throughout the Commonwealth.

Although not an official war artist, Gluck travelled to the Home Guard Canteen in Plumpton after being issued a general permit by the War Artists Committee in 1942. It is there that she painted Eighth Army Canteen in 1944. Gluck's depiction of soldiers relaxing conjures an atmosphere of camaraderie and group spirit despite the hardship they face.

Gluck wrote ‘I find that in spite of the inevitable ups and downs of one’s life, and the violent changes in the world of Art one factor has remained constant; […] that is an unswerving belief that if I created only that which moved me profoundly, and fulfilled on every count my need to express those depths, not only would it bring me satisfaction if carried out unwaveringly, but that others would be equally effected’ (exhibition catalogue, Gluck, Exhibition of paintings, London, Fine Art Society, 1973, n.p.).