The Art of Command: An Artistic Interpretation

The Art of Command is a concept that attempts to capture the complexity faced by military leaders who are appointed to positions of command. Yet, the Art of Command can also have a literal connotation, referring to an artist's attempt to capture the heavy burden that falls upon the shoulders of those who have been appointed to command. In this respect, contemporary war artist Gertrude Kearns takes a different approach. The Art of Command project, which spans over a decade of work, ambitiously strives to capture the essence, if not the soul, of conflict by examining the military commanders and civilian decision-makers who prosecute it. The Art of Command collection of portraits has a similar impact at the operational and strategic levels. The project makes a valuable contribution to Canadian military history and the study of command and leadership.