Monday, 24 August 2026

Fortunino Matania - Part 2

Fortunino Matania (1881-1963) also known as Chevalier Fortunino Matania, was an Italian illustrator best known for his detailed and realistic depictions of World War I trench warfare and historical subjects. "The public demanded it," he once said, reflecting the public interest in his work. Born in 1881 in Naples, Italy, Matania moved to London, England, where he established his career. He was influenced by his father, Eduardo Matania, and worked primarily in the medium of illustration.

For a more comprehensive biography see part 1 also.

This is Part 2 of a 5-part series on the works of Fortunino Matania:

1918 American troops charging with the cry ‘Lusitania!’ on their lips
Cover illustration for "The Sphere" 20 July 1918

1918 Cover of "The Sphere" July 13 1918
The King and Queen entering St. Paul's on the occasion of their Majesties Silver Wedding, July, 1915

1918 Cover of "The Sphere" September 14 1918
Battered, but Victorious

1918 WW1 poster Help the Horse to Save the Soldier
published by American Red Star Animal Relief lithograph
77 x 51.8 cm

before 1919 The last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois
oil on canvas 53.3 x 76.2 cm

1919 Strolling down the Strand
watercolour on board 33 x 21 cm

late 1920s Queen Matilda: Wife of Henry I
(published in the London Magazine)
pencil, ink, tempera and white lead on cardboard 44 x 27.5 cm

late 1920s Queen Matilda: Wife of Henry
detail

late 1920s Queen Matilda: Wife of Henry
detail

c1922 Upper class diners at The Savoy on election night, 1922
pencil, black chalk, pen and black ink and grey wash heightened with white, on board 36 x 53.3 cm

c1922 Upper class diners at The Savoy on election night, 1922 detail

c1922 Upper class diners at The Savoy on election night, 1922 detail

c1922 Upper class diners at The Savoy on election night, 1922 detail

c1923 The Duchess of York signs the Register in Westminster Abbey, 26th April 1923
pencil, black chalk, pen and black ink and grey wash heightened with white, on board 37 x 27 cm

1924 Life in Pompeii 2000 years ago
pencil, tempera and white lead on cardboard 26.5 x 36.5 cm

1924-25 The 2nd Battalion, 1 Green Howards at Menin Crossroads near Gheluvelt during the First Battle of Ypres
oil 108 x 151 cm

1924-25 The 2nd Battalion... detail

1924-25 The 2nd Battalion... detail

1925 A Gift from Caeser - A Vision of Imperial Rome
watercolour 52.5 x 71.5 cm

1925 A Gift from Caeser... detail

1925 A Gift from Caeser... detail

1929 Death of Sappho
gouache on paper

c1930-32 Southport For A Holiday In Wintertime
Railway company poster
colour lithograph 101.3 x 126.5 cm

1932 The First Noel
pencil, ink, tempera and white lead on cardboard  51 x 35.5 cm
published in Britannia and Eve magazine on December 1, 1932

1932 The First Noel
detail

1932 The First Noel
detail

1936 Emblem of Venice
published in Britannia & Eve magazine 1936
pencil and ink on cardboard 27.5 x 38 cm

1936 The Damon's Wife
published in the magazine Britannia and Eve
pencil and ink on cardboard 27 x 37 cm

1937 The Royal Coronation Ceremony
of H.M. King George VI

Issued c937 Blackpool
colour lithograph poster

c1937 Blackpool London, Midland and Scottish Railway poster artwork
oil on canvas 78.5 x 121.7 cm

c1937 Blackpool artwork detail 

c1937 Venetian Nights, Southport
oil on canvas; artwork for the London, Midland & Scottish Railway poster 101.3 x 127 cm

Note: Dates were not found for the rest of this series.

A British soldier and maid at a garden gate
watercolour 33.6 x 24.1 cm 

A crowd of elegantly dressed figures in a ballroom
pen and brush and black ink heightened with white, en grisaille 34.5 x 51 cm

A crowd of elegantly dressed figures in a ballroom detail

A crowd of elegantly dressed figures in a ballroom detail