View of internment camp in winter, oil painting by Oscar Bendl

Oil painting on card stock of a sunset during winter at Petawawa Internment Camp. Barracks or dormitories are visible in the background. A pile of wood logs are visible at the right.

Barracks were wooden, single-storey structures which ranged in size depending on the camp — those at Petawawa contained 60 internees and had toilets, sinks, showers, and electric lighting. Regardless of location, the barracks contained wooden tables and benches, and a wood stove for heating in winter. Internees slept on bunk beds with a thin mattress. Every barrack was assigned a number and was represented by an appointed barrack leader. Internees had to keep their barracks clean. Barracks were inspected daily.

Not much is known about the artist of this work — Oscar Bendl — other than he was presumably a German-Canadian internee who interacted with the Italian Canadians also held at Camp Petawawa. This painting was among the materials owned by internee Giacomo Venzon.