ID numberART02917
Collection typeArt
TitleDingbat's holiday
Measurementsheet: 39.8 x 57.4 cm; image: 36.4 x 46 cm
Object typeDrawing
MakerLeist, Fred
Place madeBelgium
Date made1917
Physical descriptionwatercolour over pencil with gouache on paper
CopyrightAWM copyright
DescriptionWatercolour and gouache sketch depicting a batman (in Australian military slang 'dingbat' is a derogatory term that comes from 'ding' - a vicious dingo and 'bat' from batman which is an officers servant) sitting over a washing tub, with shirt and socks hanging on a line overhead. Behind him is a sandbagged wall and a row of Nissen huts in the town of Reninghelst. Frederick Leist was a painter, illustrator and teacher. He studied at the Sydney Art School and the Art School of New South Wales from c.1894-95. During the 1890s he worked as an illustrator for the 'Bulletin' and 'Sydney Mail' and trained as a furniture designer with the David Jones department store. In 1908 he went to England and became an artist with the London 'Graphic' while exhibiting his art work at the Royal Academy in 1911. He worked for the British War Office between 1915 and 1916 and worked for His Majesty's Stationary Office designing posters for First World War recruitment. Leist was appointed an official war artist in September 1917, attached to the 5th Division AIF and worked twice in France between September to December 1917 and from June to August 1918. His commission was terminated in 1920.