Lecture

Lecture: Heroines in War

19 November 2025
2.30pm
£15

Heroines in War: Women War Artists and the depiction of Women’s role in the Second World War

In this lecture we look at some of the Women artists whose work was commissioned to depict subjects as varied as the bombed out buildings of London during the Blitz, the evacuation of children from London, the heroines of the various Women’s Auxillary Units including Air Transport, Air Service, Territorial Service, as well as the many jobs women undertook in industry such as welding and vehicle fabrication; working in munition and camouflage factories including those in Cornwall. The work of the Women's Land Army, which was a considerable force during the Second World War, was also captured by many artists, including Ethel Gabain and Evelyn Dunbar. Women War artists were also sent abroad to record the release of prisoners from Belsen and the refugees in Germany, including Doris Zinkeisen and Mary Kessell. The talk ends with Dame Laura Knight’s powerful depictions of the Nuremberg trials.

Date & Time: Wednesday 19th November, 2.30pm

Venue: The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance

Tickets: £7 Friends, £15 Non-Friends

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Penlee House Gallery & Museum

Morrab Road, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4HE
01736 363625

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1 November – 31 March: Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm

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