A reproduction of the painting The Lemnians by early 20th century artist William Russell Flint has set sail for Lemnos with the Royal Australian Navy to be part of the official Anzac Centenary commemorations next month.
The project – co-ordinated by Consul General of Greece to Sydney Dr Stavros Kyrimis and the Lemnos 1915 WWI Centenary Commemoration Committee – was launched last week at the Art Gallery of NSW, which produced the replica from the original which has been in its collection since 1924.
The painting was handed over to the RAN after a special presentation at the gallery entitled ‘The Lemnians – Ancient Amazons of Lemnos to the ANZAC Nurses of WWI’, which drew on parallels between the ancient mythical amazons of Lemnos and the ANZAC nurses of World War I.
Guest speakers included Tom Alegounarias, president of the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW and Dr Andrew Yip – coordinator of Public Programs at AGNSW.
Commander of HMAS Anzac Belinda Wood accepted the reproduction on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy. The RAN will transport the painting to Greece before the Chief of Navy presents the gift to the Mayor of Lemnos as part of Anzac Day commemorations on the island.
