Fortunino Matania Gallery

Goodbye Old Man - Soldier and dying horse during WWI

Goodbye Old Man is a striking image of a soldier bidding farewell to his fatally injured horse. Goodbye Old Man was commissioned by the Blue Cross in 1916 to raise money to help horses on active service.
The artist is Fortunino Matania and it is one of his most famous war-time illustrations. Fortunino Matania (1881 - 1963) was born in Naples.
During and after the war, his work adorned many a history book. During the 1st World War Matania mainly worked for the British magazine The Sphere as their star illustrator, usually producing one full page illustration or more per weekly issue.
He was also employed by the British government and commissioned by individual British regiments. He visited the front several times which allowed him to view wartime conditions at first hand and talk with soldiers about their experiences. From sketches and memory he could then finish a painting, often within a few days

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10046868

Francesco Matania

Chevalier Francesco Matania (1884-1957), operatic singer and professor of singing, pictured in The Tatler at the time of his return to London in 1920 (presumably he had remained in Italy during the war). The Tatler report that Matania, with considerable experience in opera had also made a special study of voice-training and vocal art and had opened a studio at the Wigmore Hall Studios in Marylebone where he gave singing lessons. The brother of the famous artist and magazine illustrator, Fortunino Matania, Francesco in later life would share his brother's work space, giving music lessons in the rooms above the artists' studio at 104, Priory Road, Kilburn, London. Date: 1920

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Germans surrendering, Western Front by Matania, WW1

Surrendered German being marshalled by British soldiers following the defeat of their counter-attack at Trones Wood. The incident depicted took place near an advanced trench in the British line. The trench had been badly battered and many casualties had been caused when the German made their final attack. The first wave got through the British barrage and were held up by two Lewis guns which had survived the bombardment and by rapid rifle fire, characteristic of British infantry. The second wave did not advance any further, having been broken down by the British barrage which included shrapnel from aeroplanes overhead. Date: 1916

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans