Click to see a larger image (385K)
Lecture to Canadian Officers Training
Corps at University of Toronto
- Victoria College in Background
C. W. Jefferys
Reference Code: C 334-1-5-0-15
Archives of Ontario, I0013639

Artists painting and sketching on the home fronts in both England and Canada had to contend with many difficulties. There was a general antipathy towards the artists seen sketching in dockyards and munitions factories. They were often considered to be spies and were reported to the authorities, which led to lengthy explanations and embarrassing encounters with the local police.

The issuing of permits that gave access to various facilities engaged in war work was meant to ease the situation though it made little difference. Their activities as artists were often seen as frivolous by those engaged in the war effort both from the point of view of wasting materials and energy that could be better put to other more practical uses.

Several women artists sketched in factories, dockyards, military camps and aircraft assembly plants.