Fortunino Collection (#7)

Sphere cover - Italy receiving shield of gold by Matania
Front cover illustration by Sphere special artist Fortunino Matania showing Italy in allegorical human form (with an impressive chest plate protecting her bosoms)

Evivva Italia
Long Live Italy! Fortunino Matanias illustration celebrating Italys entrance into World War One in May 1915. As British, French and German symbolic figures fight in the background

Moving sand bags forward
With the order for an advance having been given, British soldiers scramble out of their trench to move forward to occupy a captured German trench

British ammunition carriers
During an offensive, two British soldiers haul a box of ammunition forward to a newly captured trench. In such situations

New Years Day with a Highland Regiment
On the Western front, a Highland Regiment celebrate the New Year in traditional Scottish style, with sword dancing, bagpipe playing and singing. Date: 1 January 1917

Sphere cover - The Kaiser at Nish by Matania, WW1
Kaiser Wilhelm II pictured on a visit to Nish (Nis), the largest city in Southern Serbia, where he attended a banquet given by King Ferdinand of Bulgaria and inspected Bulgarian troops

Sphere cover - His Xmas letter from the trenches, Matania
Front cover of The Sphere featuring an illustration by Fortunino Matania of a British soldier writing a letter home to his family at Christmas

Sphere during WW1, advertisement, 1916
Advertisement IN The Sphere magazine FOR The Sphere magazine, declaring it had the finest war artists in Signor (Fortunino) Matania and Christopher Clark

Storming of Heudicourt Village
Following a short artillery barrage, British troops rush the German entrenchments stretched across the street in the French village of Heudicourt

Cardinal Bourne addresses Dublin Fusiliers
During a visit to Irish troops on the Western front, Cardinal Bourne, Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, addresses men of the Dublin Fusiliers brigade from a transport waggon. Date: 1917

British staff car avoids shell hole
A British Staff Car veers to one side to avoid a large shell hole in the middle of the road on which they are hurrying. Narrowly avoiding ending up in the roadside ditch

Pro Italia
A drawing by Fortunino Matania celebrating the alliance between British and Italian troops. He presented the drawing to his compatriots of Italian organisations in London

The Communication Trench
British soldiers dash past a gap in the sandbag wall of a communication trench, keeping their heads down so as not to attract the attention of snipers. Date: 1915

Munitions Factory 1915
A scene in a British munitions factory, owned by Vickers Ltd. Shown here is the process of nosing a shell. Metal cylinders are heated in a furnace by the man shown in the foreground

Russian Soldiers demonstrate in Petrograd
Russian soldiers march through the streets of Petrograd (St Petersburg) proclaiming, Death or Victory and carrying a banner, the message of which is War to the end Date: May 1917

Liner approaching British waters
An emotive drawing by Fortunino Matania showing a concerned mother with her two children on the deck of a liner approaching British waters, nearing port

Tricolour restored
A symbolic illustration by Fortunino Matania showing a French woman raising a Tricolour flag in the ruins of her home, land regained following a German retreat. Date: March 1917

London in Winter - Skating at Princes Skating Club in Knightsbridge. A couple skating, taking tea on the promenade and having ones skates put on under the Band Stand Date: 1914

Soldiers on Western Front with gas masks, WW1
Soldiers on the Western Front wearing gas masks. 1916

Soldiers as munitions workers
Having enlisted early in the war, and been sent back from the front, many British soldiers found work in factories producing war munitions. Date: 1915

Swiss Winter Tailing scene with horse-drawn sledge
The Swiss Winter Season. A pleasant winter scene depicting a Swiss pastime called tailing. This popular activity consisted of a line of swiss luges attached to each other

Artillery mule on Italian frontier
On the Italian frontier, an artillery mule is lowered on to a ledge in the Alps. The mules were used by the Italian Alpine artillery to carry gun parts on their backs across the mountainous terrain

Christmas Festivities in the Shakspere Hut, WW1
A busy scene of festive jollity at the Shakspere Hut, one of numerous YMCA huts erected around London during the First World War to provide rest, food

The Royal Gala Performance, Paris Opera, April 1914. Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963). One of the most accomplished realistic illustrators and artists of his time

(insert)

R F A mule-teams pulling limbers over a shell torn track
R.F.A. mule-teams pulling limbers over a shell torn track.. Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963). One of the most accomplished realistic illustrators and artists of his time

Wounded French soldier lying in bed in a hospital ward
Preparation sketch by Matania for a work depicting a wounded French soldier lying in bed in a hospital ward that was originally a school

(insert)

Armistice Anniversary Night, Trafalgar Square, 11 November 1922. Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963). One of the most accomplished realistic illustrators and artists of his time

(insert)

Flanders 1914. Fortunino Matania, Ri (1881-1963). One of the most accomplished realistic illustrators and artists of his time

Not Forgotten A Scene on Christmas Morning by Fortunino Mata
Colour illustration by Fortunino Matania showing three children visiting a little girl ill in bed on Christmas morning. Date: 27th November 1922

How Lieutenant Colonel Forbes-Robertson Saved the Western Li
Forbes-Robertson won the Victoria Cross saved the defence line by making a rapid reconnaisance on horse-back in full view of the enemy under machine gun and close range shell fire

French Army in the Saarbrucken area, 1939
French soldiers receiving post, with letters being opened on the spot in excitement. Theh French Army depicted here by Sphere special artist, Fortunino Matania in the northern section

The motor car in society, 1911
Society meeting in Hyde Park, London in 1911, some on horseback, others in shiny new motorcars. Illustration to accompany a supplement in The Sphere reporting on the Olympia Motor Show. Date: 1911

Wreath for Captain Scott
Allegorical picture by Fortunino Matania showing a wreath being laid at a simple memorial to Captain Robert Falcon Scott, who died

On the Air Route to the Cape by Fortunino Matania
Natives in Northern Rhodesia, under the supervision of British officers, are pictured mowing down a field of wild arum lilies to make way for a landing ground or runway. Date: 1920

Verdi, Giuseppe 1813-1901
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi. Influential Italian Romantic composer of opera

Suggestion by The Sphere for a monument to Scott
Design reproduced in The Tatler, suggested by the Spheres special artist, Fortunino Matania for a memorial to the late Captain Scott and his companions

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"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.