Tom B :: Matania, Fortunino

Matania - An Incident on the Road to Lassigny (1914)

Artist: Fortunino Matania (All)

6 Comments - 5,734 Views - 2 Likes

Matania - An Incident on the Road to Lassigny (1914) Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Matania - An Incident on the Road to Lassigny (1914)
Artist:	Fortunino Matania (All)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Other
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	5,734
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Favorited on CAF:	4
Comments:	6
Added to Site:	5/12/2013
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Fortunino Matania - An Incident on the Road to Lassigny (1914)

Matania's portrayal of WW I's front lines was familiar to the British Public. Through wash illustrations for The Sphere, he brought both the drama and minutia of the Great War back to England on a weekly basis. An Italian and artistic prodigy, he came to England around the turn of the century, joining the staff of The Sphere in 1904. When the Great War broke out, he was sent to the front to illustrate the events for publication. His meticulous attention to accuracy and detail generated a spectacular visual chronology of the conflict from multiple perspectives. Matania's work from this period would be used as posters and limited edition prints. Notably, he was commissioned by the Blue Cross Fund (now the Blue Cross) to create the painting titled "Goodbye Old Man" to raise money for the veterinary care of horses and dogs involved in the war effort. Regrettably, much of his work from this era was destroyed during the Blitz of London in WW II when his studio was bombed. Though rare to see, not all was lost.

This piece, An Incident on the Road to Lassigny was published in the October 10, 1914 edition of The Sphere as a two page spread. It depicts a charge of the French Light Calvary following the destruction of German artillery. Matania's composition provides a strong foundation for the entire piece , while illuminating several smaller compositions of the more intimate experience of the individual soldiers. A strong triangular foreground creates a foundation for the piece and specifically the German position, while the French Light Calvary are a thunderous river of motion sweeping along lines of perspective that terminate in a vanishing point embedded within the routed German troops. The entirety of the piece is a vast unbroken swirl of battle, beginning on the right with the vibrant, living horses charging into the space, moving along from right to left and then down through the German position, flowing inexorably to the dead horse embraced by an equally dead soldier, then up again through the legs of the living steed. It is the cycle of life and death that is captured in this frame.

One can almost hear the crack of rifle fire, distant shouts of men both advancing and overrun , feel the ground rumbling with hooves , smell the acrid smoke and dust. Distance is limited by the battlefield haze forcing the drama to the fore. The world has shrunk to this moment, this space on the earth, as men make choices , take actions that will govern not only their fate, but the men and horses around them.

The focal point rests on the dark uniform of the cavalry man who sits in stark contrast to the ghostly haze of a smoke choked background. Sighting coolly, carefully down his rifle, despite his galloping steed, we see the object of his line of fire: a German, crouching beside the dubious protection of a artillery pock marked tree, his rifle held impotently, unsure of where to aim, what to do. It is a small parallel of what is transpiring on the field of battle as a whole. It is one of several such vignettes (see detail pics) that Matania has incorporated into the piece.

An Incident on the Road to Lassigny is a masterpiece of artistry, conveying much more than figures and forms, a simple illustration of an event. Deeper meanings lie within these washes and it is a choreography that Matania pulled off week after week. His work, compelling and visceral as it may be, has been largely forgotten. A book is now in the works to showcase this master's extensive talents, hopefully to see publication next year.

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About the Owner

	Tom B. ( 2 )
Joined:	January 2005
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Tom's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Brett B
Member Since 2004

Posted on 5/12/2013

Your description there really does this piece justice! Nice job!

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 5/12/2013

INCREDIBLE!

Terry Doyle
Member Since 2004

Posted on 7/26/2013

Stunning illustration of great historical importance!

Johnny C.
Member Since 2010

Posted on 5/7/2014

This really is a masterpiece.

Yoann B.
Member Since 2013

Posted on 7/8/2015

Probably the most beautiful piece by Matania I have ever seen... Such a perfection!

Rutger van Essen
Member Since 2014

Posted on 1/3/2017

What an intense and beautiful work this is. From an artist who I was no familiar with. Well worth the effort to learn more of him. Congratulations Tom...

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