Iconic 'Great War' painting on show in Cork Public Museum

The earliest known painted copy of “one of the most iconic paintings of the Great War” is now on display at Cork Public Museum as part of a new exhibition to mark the centenary of the unveiling of the Cork War Memorial on the South Mall.

The exhibition’s main feature, which is open from now until May 22, is the copy of the First World War painting, The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois by Italian artist Fortunino Matania.

The painting depicts the 2nd Battalion of Royal Munster Fusiliers receiving general absolution on the eve of battle from their chaplain, Father Gleeson.

The following day, the British Army lost 11,000 men, dead or wounded, during the Battle of Aubers Ridge, of whom 300 came from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers.

Of these 300, 95% were Irish, with at least 50 connected to Cork.

Commissioned

The original painting is believed to have been lost in the bombing of London during the Second World War, however the version currently on display at Cork Public Museum was specifically commissioned from the artist in 1919 by Alfred Robinson to celebrate the safe return of his son from the war.

The painting stayed with the Robinson family until it was sold at auction last year.

It was purchased by Willie and Mary Slattery from Dublin, who generously loaned it to Cork Public Museum for public display.

Commenting on the exhibition, Daniel Breen, curator of Cork Public Museum, said the Fitzgerald’s Park-based venue is “delighted to be able to display this wonderful and historic painting to the public for the first time ever”.

Brutal futility

“The original Last General Absolution of the Munsters on the Rue du Bois is considered one of the most iconic paintings of the Great War and is internationally beloved for capturing the brutal futility of war, as well as illustrating the courage of the soldiers and the sacrifices made by their families,” he added.