Fortunino Matania (1881-1963). With the British Army on the Western Front. London: Sphere & Tatler, Ltd., 1916. 

Oblong folio, approx.: 21 1/2 x 15 3/4 in. 12 loosely inserted photogravure plates, plates 28 x 40 cm, mounts 40.3 x 43.4 cm, each with captioned tissue-guard as issued. Original cloth-backed portfolio with illustrated front panel. FIRST EDITION. 

A fine and notably scarce copy of the first and only edition of Italian-born illustrator's folio of photogravure scenes from the front lines of the Great War. 

Fortunino Matania trained in his father's studio and received his first commissions from L'Illustrazione Italiana. He moved to Paris at 20, producing work for Illustration Française, before finally settling in London, where he worked for the Graphic, the Illustrated London News, and the Sphere, whose staff he joined in 1904. He is best remembered for his work as a war artist, exemplified by the photogravures offered here. 

"Accuracy and authenticity were the key characteristics of his work, which had an almost photographic realism. He took particular pains to recreate uniforms, costume, and weaponry correctly. During the Great War, he visited the Front on several occasions to gather material first-hand. At other times, he took eyewitness accounts from wounded men in hospital...Fortunino Matania remains one of the most accomplished painters in the genre of illustrated realism." ("The Illustrated First World War." Illustrated London News archives).

VERY RARE. OCLC locates only 3 copies held at the Library and Archives Canada, Brown University Library, and the University of Birmingham (UK). 

[World War I, WWI, The Great War, First World War] [Books, Illustrated Art, Photogravures, Prints, Engravings, Art, Fine Art] 

Professionally and judiciously restored. Replaced ties. Some general signs of handling, light soiling. Tissues guards occasionally slightly crumpled.