Tom B :: Matania, Fortunino

Fortunino Matania - The Magic Sword (1927)

Artist: Fortunino Matania (Painter)

3 Comments - 6,154 Views - 2 Likes

Fortunino Matania - The Magic Sword (1927) Comic Art

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Published version

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Fortunino Matania - The Goddess who Saved a City (1933)

Artwork Details

Title:	Fortunino Matania - The Magic Sword (1927)
Artist:	Fortunino Matania (Painter)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	6,154
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Comments:	3
Added to Site:	12/15/2016
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Gorgeous chiaroscuro piece by Matania. Done for the February 1927 London Magazine story, The Sword of Magic by F. Britten Austin. This piece is a bit of a curiosity as it the published version shows a larger scene. The original has a thin margin around it but no sign of erasure along the left side. I suspect the publisher may have asked for Matania to enlarge the piece and he did so by simply doing a second piece that was then married to the first in the layout process. The full drawing shows a fairly stark break in continuity of major elements down the center. This original is signed in the lower left by Matania which doesn't show in the published version. Likely it was added later. See additional pic for the published illustration. (courtesy of page 170, Drawing From History)

Mysteries aside, Mantania poses a powerful woman in torchlight, having apparently dispatched several captors, training her sword and attention to the last. Matania's lighting choice is perfectly suited to the drama of the tableau. The piece is rendered in inks, pencils, washes and gauche. Typical Matania brilliance!

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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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Davide G.
Member Since 2009

Posted on 12/15/2016

Simply one of the best illustrators of the 20th Century. Great piece!

Mark Howland
Member Since 2004

Posted on 12/15/2016

You got the better half! Great stuff, Tom!

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 12/15/2016

Nice!

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