Born in Naples in 1881, Fortunino Matania was a painter, draughtsman and miniaturist who specialised in producing realistic portrayals of historical and allegorical subjects. At the age of only 14 he went to Milan to draw for an illustrated magazine, taking up similar work in Paris a few years later. He also worked on The Graphic and The Sphere magazines in London. In 1902, Matania was invited to London to cover the Coronation of Edward VII for The Graphic. Thereafter he covered every major Royal event including the marriages, christenings, funerals, and coronations of British royalty, up to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. During World War I he was active as a war artist, acknowledged for his realistic depictions of life in the trenches and was honoured by the Italian government. He continued to live and work in Britain as an artist, illustrator and designer until his death in 1963. Matania exhibited extensively in Italy and in England, at the Royal Academy and the Royal Institute of the Fine Arts. His work was also acquired by Queen Mary.
Another amazing image from the Italian artist and illustrator Fortunino Matania, showing the stage and audience during an operatic performance at Blackpool. Signed lower left, this work is in good condition having been newly reframed and mounted behind museum-quality U.V. glass. From the private estate of a commercial airline pilot who collected items and images relating to balloons and ballooning.
Measures 32.5 cm wide by 22.5 cm deep (51 cm by 43.5 cm in its frame).
£2500
An astonishing and highly detailed watercolour of a party night at the Gala Ballroom, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool by the Italian artist Fortunino Matania (1881-1963). Signed lower left,this work is in good condition having been newly reframed and mounted behind museum-quality U.V. glass. From the private estate of a commercial airline pilot who collected items and images relating to balloons and ballooning. NB; digital prints of this are available from a company in America but this is the original watercolour.
Measures 31 cm wide by 22 cm deep (51 cm by 43.5 cm in its frame).
£4000