Fortunino Collection

Boadicea leading Iceni revolt by Fortunino Matania
Boadicea (variously spelt, eg Boudicca), Queen of the Iceni, wife of Prasutagus. Leader of a vigorous but doomed revolt against the Roman occupation of Britain pictured with her daughters in full

L Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. How our gunners won the VC and silenced the fire of the German guns in face of overwhelming odds Retreat from Mons, 1st September 1914

Australian troops counter-attack at Amiens, WW1
Australian troops hold the line at Villers Bretonneux nine miles east of Amiens during a German attack during the Battle of Amiens in April 1918

The Strongest "
" The Strongest.". Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963). One of the most accomplished realistic illustrators and artists of his time

British Guns dash through French town
A British Artillery piece is rushed at a gallop through the market-place of a French town, the square surrounded by shell damaged buildings

Goodbye, Old Man by Fortunino Matania
Colour print of the famous picture by Fortunino Matania showing a gunner saying farewell to his dying horse. The original was painted for the Blue Cross Fund to raise money for the charity during

My Studio by Fortunino Matania
Self-portrait of the Italian artist, Fortunino Matania (1881-1963) pictured at work in his studio at 104 Priory Road, Hampstead, London. Date: c.1955

A Motor Bus during the London Season, 1914 by Matania
" Passengers out first, please" - the omnipresent motor-bus. Passengers alight from a London bus, ready to sample the delights of the city at the height of the 1914 Season. Date: 1914

At an Advanced Dressing Station on the Western Front, Matania
A horse-drawn Red Cross ambulance wagon arriving at an advanced dressing station behind the front lines on the Western Front

The Unknown Warrior - scene at Westminster Abbey, 11th November 1920. Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963). One of the most accomplished realistic illustrators and artists of his time

Sappho - House of Muses
Atthis, Telesippa, Megara, Anactoria and Euneica sitting at the feet of the poetess Sappho as she recites some of her work. No

British gunners, Battle of the Somme, WW1
British gunners in action during the Battle of the Somme, First World War. Their guns are on " Percy Scott" mountings, with rather colourful camouflage paint. Date: 1918

Ad for Goodbye, Old Man by Matania, WW1
Advertisement in The Sphere magazine promoting one of the most popular images painted by their special artist Fortunino Matania as a limited edition print

British trooper meets French woman on the road to Lille, WW1
A poignant scene captured by the Sphere magazines special artist, Fortunino Matania showing a British trooper riding through a devastated French landscape and stopping to speak to a French woman

Dropping from a Kite Balloon 1917
A British observer drops from the car of a kite balloon, attached to the parachute which is hanging over the side of the basket. His colleague has already jumped and is on his way to the ground

A Concert behind the Lines by Fortunino Matania
Somewhere in France - a concert behind the lines. A concert troupe or divisional entertainment company often made up of a mix of professional and amateur actors

The Strongest by Fortunino Matania
The Strongest, by Fortunino Matania, RI (1881-1963). One of the most accomplished realistic illustrators and artists of his time

Gordon Highlander interrogated by German Officers
I won t - After a raid on the British lines in Northern France, a Gordon Highlander is being interrogated by German Officers.. Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963)

Great Expectations: The Dickens Christmas Spirit by Matania
A Dickensian Christmas as imagined by the Italian-born artist, Fortunino Matania, who in his later career concentrated on historical genre subjects

The Unknown Warrior Burial Service
The scene in Westminster Abbey as the coffin of The Unknown Warrior is lowered onto bars above the open grave, during the burial service

British soldiers bathing in flooded shell hole by Matania
The only advantage of the wet weather on the Western Front - a novel swimming bath used by British soldiers to bathe in. A scene captured at the front by The Sphere special artist, Fortunino Matania

Arrival of troop train by Fortunino Matania
Back for Christmas holidays: arrival of a troop train in London by Fortunino Matania. Scene in Victoria train station a few minutes after the arrival of a troop train bringing back British soldiers

The Fall of the German airship L-21 by Fortunino Matania, WW1
The destruction of the German Zeppelin L-21 over Cuffley, Hertfordshire after being shot down by Lieut. William Leefe Robinson on the night of 2nd/3rd September 1916

Repulsing the famous Prussian guard at Ypres. With the British Army on the Western Front - published in 1916 for Tatler and Sphere, though the illustration was first done in 1914

The Farewell. Fortunino Matania, RI (1881-1963). One of the most accomplished realistic illustrators and artists of his time

Edward VIII in his Coronation robes
A triptych of paintings by Fortunino Matania of King Edward VIII dressed in his ceremonial Coronation robes, part of a special Coronation number prepared in advance by the Illustrated London News but

Taking the wounded aboard a British ambulance train on the Western Front. With the British Army on the Western Front - published in 1916 for Tatler and Sphere.. Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963)

With the field guns on the Western Front. A visit to a British battery. With the British Army on the Western Front - published in 1916 for Tatler and Sphere.. Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963)

A Heroic Deed of the Royal Horse Artillery Near Compiegne, (1919). Creator: Unknown
A Heroic Deed of the Royal Horse Artillery Near Compiegne, (1919). Scene from the First World War: at the Battle of Nery in September 1914, the British 1st Cavalry Brigade and L Battery

Princess Caraboo by Fortunino Matania
Mary Baker (n饠 Willcocks) (1791-1864) a Devonshire cobblers daughter and noted impostor. Posing as the fictional Princess Caraboo

Uhlans at Liege
A detachment of German Uhlans charging a fort at Liege, Belgium, only to encounter the barbed wire defences constructed by order of General Liman, commander of the Belgian troops in Liege

A British heavy howitzer in action on the Western Front against an opposing German position. The shot has just been fired and Matania's drawing (done from official material supplied)

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British infantry attack a German trench in France
British infantry, with bayonets fixed, charge and attack a German trench on the western Front in France. Date: September 1915

A British Advanced observation post
A ruined house is used as an advanced observation post by British officers. Situated close to German lines, the officers relay information back about the accuracy of artillery fire

The Strongest.. Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963). One of the most accomplished realistic illustrators and artists of his time

The Capture of Givenchy, (1919). Creator: Fortunino Matania
The Capture of Givenchy, (1919). Scene from the First World War, 1914-1919: How the Manchester Regiment Captured the Village of Givenchy by Storm and Drove Out the Germans

George VI in coronation robes: the Golden Imperial mantle, with St Edwards crown, 1937. Artist: Fortunino Matania
George VI in coronation robes: the Golden Imperial mantle, with St Edwards crown, 1937. A coloured plate from the Illustrated London News: Coronation Record Number, (London, 1937)

King Edward VII - last visit to Biarritz
King Edward VII conversing with the Marquis de Soveral, during his final visit to Biarritz in 1910 - he would die just weeks later. 1910

George VI in coronation robes: the Robe of Purple Velvet, with the Imperial State Crown, 1937. A coloured plate from the Illustrated London News: Coronation Record Number, (London, 1937)

George VI in coronation robes: the Crimson Robe of State, with the Cap of Maintenance, 1937. Artist: Fortunino Matania
George VI in coronation robes: the Crimson Robe of State, with the Cap of Maintenance, 1937. A coloured plate from the Illustrated London News: Coronation Record Number, (London, 1937)

Pharaohs Workers - Ancient Egypt - by Fortunino Matania
Workers building a temple or palace for a Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt. Date: Unknown, poss. 1920s

Matania Advertisement Illustration
A detailed illustration, probably used for advertisement purposes, showing a scene in which two elegantly dressed figures, a man and a seated young lady

An allegory about the peace negotiations at end of WW1
A rather biased allegorical illustration by Fortunino Matania showing Justice, with her foot on the prostrate giant of Germany, holding her sword in one hand and scales in another

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi, from Living Biographies of Great Composers
3961020 Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi, from Living Biographies of Great Composers by Ross, Gordon (1872-1946); (add.info.: Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi, 1813-1901. Italian opera composer)

Exhibition of life-saving techniques at the Bath Club in Dover Street. The swimming baths of choice for high society, the Bath Club attracted a well-heeled membership. Date: 1912

The Typhoon at the London Hippodrome by Matania
The Typhoon, the latest water spectacle at the London Hippodrome, where a storm was created in the theatres state-of-the-art water tank

The Taverna of the Excelsior Palace, Venice Lido
Luncheon at the Taverna restaurant of the Excelsior Palace Hotel at the fashionable Venice Lido. Diners were encouraged to visit the Taverna in their swimwear or beach pyjamas

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"Fortunino: Capturing the Essence of War and Beauty in Art" Step into the world Matania, a renowned artist whose brushstrokes brought history to life. From the thunderous roar of L Battery's Royal Horse Artillery to British guns dashing through a quaint French town, his paintings vividly depicted moments frozen in time. Known as "The Strongest, " Matania's artistry knew no bounds. In his studio, he meticulously crafted masterpieces that would stand the test of time. One such creation was "My Studio by Fortunino Matania, " showcasing his dedication and passion for his craft. Transporting us back to 1914 during London Season, we witness a bustling cityscape captured in "A Motor Bus during the London Season. " The energy and vibrancy leap off the canvas, immersing us in an era long gone. Yet it is on the Western Front where Matania truly shines. His poignant portrayal of an Advanced Dressing Station transports us to a place filled with heroism and sacrifice. And amidst solemnity, we find ourselves at Westminster Abbey witnessing "The Unknown Warrior, " paying tribute to those who gave their lives for our freedom. Matania's talent extended beyond war scenes; he delved into mythology with works like "Sappho - House of Muses. " Here, beauty intertwines with ancient tales, captivating our imagination. In another stroke of genius, Matania immortalized British gunners battling on the infamous Somme battlefield during World War I. Their unwavering determination serves as a testament to human resilience even amid chaos and destruction. His art also played its part during wartime propaganda efforts – an ad for "Goodbye Old Man" showcased both heartache and camaraderie experienced by soldiers on distant battlefields. And amidst conflict emerged unexpected connections – British troopers meeting French women along roads leading towards Lille became symbols of unity amidst the horrors of war.