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

When the Anzac Memorial opened in 1934 eager crowds were enthralled by the evocative sculptures by Rayner Hoff. Unfortunately controversy over one of Hoffs 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 Hoffs 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 Hoffs 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 BuildingNo 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 Widows Guild