Heroes of the Great War

In September 1914, just a few weeks after the First World War broke out, Pierre Carrier-Belleuse, Auguste-François Gorguet, and a few dozen invited artists took on a colossal project to honor “the heroes of the Great War”: Panthéon de la Guerre, a panorama that measured nearly 125 meters in circumference and was 15 meters high, making it the largest painting in the world at the time. A special building was erected near Hôtel des Invalides in Paris to house the panorama.

The project commenced in the wake of France’s success at the Battle of the Marne that kept the German army away from Paris. The artists were either too old or physically incapable to fight, yet they were determined to make a meaningful contribution to the war effort. Many in Europe believed the war would be over within several months, but instead, it lasted for four years. The conflict evolved into trench warfare; more countries became involved, more lives were lost.

What makes Panthéon so interesting is that it combines art, commerce, propaganda, and commemoration. Its meaning and significance have changed drastically over time. Even the composition of the painting has changed. In 1916, China joined the war by sending Chinese laborers to the Western Front. And so, the Chinese laborers and several prominent political Chinese figures were added to the painting. However, at the inauguration of the panorama, all but one Chinese laborer had disappeared. What happened to them? Let’s find out…