Peter McIntyre was a very popular New Zealand painter. He was New Zealand's official artist during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, McIntyre shadowed the life of New Zealand’s Second Expeditionary Force on manoeuvres and at the front. His early paintings are often devoted to the war events, including the turmoil and atrocity he experienced during his campaign in North Africa. Nicky Dyer designed the issue.
Each stamp in this philatelic release depicts a painting from a different location, showcasing the breadth of McIntyre’s service as New Zealand’s official war artist. McIntyre’s paintings depicted critical moments on the battlefield and at the rear guard in Greece, Egypt, Italy and Tunisia, as New Zealand troops followed orders. These pictures are General Hospital, Crete, 1941; Building the railway to Tobruk, 1943; The Grants go into action, El Alamein, 1942; Medical Officer attending wounded Germans after final surrender in Tunisia, 1943.
See also other stamps honoring famous artists.
