Name/Title
2014 - The second of two stained glass windows depicting Vimy Ridge, 1917 - designed and painted by Gertrud Antoine BarwickDescription
2014 - The second of two stained glass windows depicting Vimy Ridge, 1917 - designed and painted by Gertrud Antoine Barwick and on display at The Canadian Grenadier Guards Museum located at Home Station (4171 L'Esplanade Ave, Montreal Quebec.)
ABOUT THE ARTIST
As a dedicated teacher at the Lake of Two Mountains High School in the Montreal area, Gertrud Antoine Barwick volunteered her free time to organize extracurricular activities for students. Since her retirement in 1995, she has been equally generous in helping others, raising thousands of dollars for charity through her church, and helping with Meals on Wheels. A member of the Montreal General Hospital Auxiliary, she volunteers weekly in the gift shop, donates her own artwork for sale and organizes extraordinary fundraising events such as fashion shows and Victorian teas. Mrs. Barwick's generosity of time and talents warms and benefits all those around her. Gertrud Antoine Barwick is the recipient in 2005 of the CCA Award by the Governor General of Canada, Madame Adrienne Clarkson.Context
" VIMY RIDGE 1917
In 1994, twenty years ago, I took my highschool students to see the Vimy Ridge Memorial in the North of France. This monument was designed by Walter Allward and erected by the Canadian Government in 1922, as, according to Prime Minister Mackenzie King is "Canada's Altar on European Soil on which Canadians sacrificed for the Cause of Humanity".
For me, it is the most moving, most regal monument I have ever seen. It does not commemorate victory, but marks the heroism of the ordinary soldier, who sacrificed their life for PEACE, HONOUR, HOPE, FAITH and JUSTICE.
In my painting this window I give homage to my father Doctor Franz Joseph Antoine, as well as my late husband's father Major Angus Cameron Barwick; both men were in this horrible war of 1914-1918, but on opposite fronts.
When I was asked to design and paint a new window for the Museum of the Canadian Grenadier Guards Regiment, I knew, in my heart, that the most beautiful and powerful Vimy Ridge Memorial should be my focal point.
The window shows the sun shining onto the monument from the East, clouds moving in from the West, the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" in the South, and the two Towers rising up from the ground into the North - into eternity.
The lone figure at the base of the tower represents all "MOTHERS", grieving the loss of fathers, sons, and daughters.
The lower part of the window depicts the cruelty of any war, the loss of human life in cramped, and muddy trenches.
It is my hope and wish that this window will help young people to understand their history and search for the LIGHT that shined around [PEACE, HONOUR, HOPE, FAITH, and JUSTICE. "
- Gertrud Antoine Barwick
educator - artist - motherCreated By
Zarina CarlevarisCreate Date
July 29, 2024Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
January 4, 2026
