Delville Collection

Four scenes, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa
Four scenes in Pietermaritzburg, Natal Province, South Africa -- Town Gardens, Delville Wood Cross, Commercial Road and Municipal Swimming Baths. Date: circa 1930

The introduction of tanks into battle on the Western Front
A illustration showing a tank driving through a village street on the Western Front. Tanks were first introduced into battle on the 15th September 1916 when a D1 tank was guided into action by

Dante, 1919 (oil on canvas)
659129 Dante, 1919 (oil on canvas) by Delville, Jean (1867-1953); 142.2x177.8 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Dante. Jean Delville (1867-1953). Oil on canvas. Signed and dated 1919

Study for the Kumaras. Creator: Delville, Jean (1867-1953)
Study for the Kumaras. Private Collection

On the grave of the martyrs, 1941-1942. Creator: Delville, Jean (1867-1953)
On the grave of the martyrs, 1941-1942. Private Collection

Le symbole du Graal, 1940. Creator: Delville, Jean (1867-1953)
Le symbole du Graal, 1940. Private Collection

Platonic Academy. Creator: Delville, Jean (1867-1953)
Platonic Academy. Found in the collection of Musee d'Orsay, Paris

Mysteriosa, Portrait of Madame Stuart-Merrill, 1892. Creator: Delville, Jean (1867-1953)
Mysteriosa. Portrait of Madame Stuart-Merrill, 1892. Found in the collection of Musees royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Brussels

The Angel of Splendor, 1894. Creator: Delville, Jean (1867-1953)
The Angel of Splendor, 1894. Private Collection

Title design for the Prométhée, op. 60 by Alexander Skryabin, 1910. Creator: Delville, Jean (1867-1953)
Title design for the Promethee, op. 60 by Alexander Skryabin, 1910. Found in the collection of the State Central M. Glinka Museum of Music, Moscow

The Angel of Splendours, 1894. Creator: Jean Delville
The Angel of Splendours, 1894. Private collection

Sons of Satan, c1900-1953. Artist: Jean Delville
Sons of Satan, c1900-1953. Delville was a Belgian symbolist painter, writer, and occultist. He founded the Salon d'Art Idealiste in Belgium

L'amour des âmes, 1900. Creator: Delville, Jean (1867-1953)
L'amour des ames, 1900. Found in the collection of the Musee d'Ixelles

The Angel of Splendours, c1894, (1911). Artist: Jean Delville
The Angel of Splendours, c1894, (1911). Painting held at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels. From Bibbys Annual 1911, [J. Bibby & Sons, Liverpool, 1911]

Heroes Of Delville Wood: The Glorious Defence Of The South Africans In July, 1916. Drawn By Frank Dadd

British soldiers digging a trench, Western Front, WW1
British soldiers digging a communication trench through what was once Delville Wood on the Western Front during World War One. Date: circa 1916

Amoured tank in action
A photograph of a British tank advancing to destroy German machine gun positions. Tanks were first introduced into battle on the 15th September 1916 when a D1 tank was guided into action by Captain

Delville Wood 1916
A British communications trench is dug through Delville Wood, which has been devastated by the heavy fighting in the area during the opening months of the Somme campaign

Battle of the Somme
The old British Front Line trenches during the Battle of the Somme, Delville Wood, Somme, in France during World War I on 3rd july 1917

British and German soldiers illustrated fighting hand-to-han
An illustration depicting fighting at close quarters between British and German soldiers armed with bayonets in Delville Wood, France

South African soldiers capturing Delville Wood
An illustration of South African soldiers, assisted by some Highlanders seen in the foreground, marching through Delville Wood, France

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"Delville: Unleashing the Power of Tanks on the Western Front" In Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa, a quiet town became the birthplace of an unstoppable force. It was here that the idea of introducing tanks into battle on the Western Front took root. As British soldiers dug trenches in preparation for war, little did they know that their lives were about to change forever. The year was 1916, and amidst the chaos of World War I, a new era dawned. The Angel of Splendours emerged from Jean Delville's brush strokes in 1894 but found its true meaning in this pivotal moment. Its ethereal beauty mirrored both hope and despair as it watched over those who fought valiantly. Amidst the deafening sounds of gunfire and explosions, armored tanks rumbled into action. These mechanical beasts tore through enemy lines with unprecedented power and resilience. Heroes Wood etched their names into history as they defended their position with unwavering determination during July 1916. Delville Wood itself became synonymous with courage and sacrifice. In this dense forest near Flers, battles raged relentlessly as soldiers fought tooth and nail for every inch gained or lost. The wood witnessed unimaginable horrors but also showcased extraordinary acts of bravery that would forever be remembered. As we look back at these scenes from Delville Wood in 1916, we are reminded not only of the brutality of war but also its capacity to bring out humanity's finest qualities – resilience, camaraderie, and selflessness. The Battle of Somme marked a turning point in history – one where tanks proved their worth beyond measure. With each rumble across muddy fields and shattered landscapes came a glimmering hope for victory against all odds. Delville may have been just a name once associated with a small company or an artist's creation.