H.M. Whaler 'Southern Flower', Reykjavik, 2 November 1943

In March 1941 Thomas Hennell was commissioned by the War Artists' Advisory Committee to record the English harvest, and in 1942 to record other 'land work activities.' He was appointed to active service as a war artist in 1943, and was sent to Iceland to replace Eric Ravilious, following the latter's death there. In Iceland from August to December of that year, Hennell was fascinated by the scenery and the dramatic changes in the weather. Many of his watercolours from this period prominently feature the island's turbulent skies. His Icelandic works were very well received by the WAAC, and in March 1944 the National Gallery held an exhibition of Hennell's Icelandic pictures.