The Naked Soldier: The Sculptures of Rayner Hoff in the Anzac Memorial, Sydney

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When the Anzac Memorial, opened in 1934, eager crowds were enthralled by the evocative sculptures by Rayner Hoff. Unfortunately, controversy over one of Hoff’s artworks and his premature death resulted in these sculptures being largely overlooked for the past 80 years.

The Naked Soldier reveals for the first time, the secrets of Hoff’s Anzac sculptures. It brings to light his amazing gifts to the people of New South Wales who were still grieving from the slaughter of the First World War.

Above all, this book shows that Rayner Hoff created the central sculpture, Sacrifice, to depict the burden placed on women when their men were killed in the war. A visit to the Anzac Memorial will now be a richer experience because Hoff’s messages of empathy are available to visitors.

‘A vivid and long overdue reappraisal of how the Anzac Memorial spoke in its time, and still speaks today.’ - Darren Mitchell, former Director, Anzac Memorial Building

‘No other Australian war memorial gives as much attention to war widows, the chief mourners, as does the Anzac Memorial in Sydney.’

• Rhondda Vanzella OAM, President, NSW War Widow’s Guild