Fortunino Matania

When I was young I didn't like Fine Art: I'd look at Paintings by Michelangelo and Kandinsky and Turner and feel like a real yobbo because they just didn't speak to me. What I really loved was illustration, and the pictures in my books. I was all too well aware that those were for children though and not 'real' art.

When my mother gave me this book I was delighted: the pictures are beautiful and interesting, full of lovely clothes and interesting women and the sort of detail I loved - and they were painted! Suddenly I knew what to say when people asked me who my favourite artist was!

At about the same time we acquired a book illustrated by Fleur Cowles - also exquisite although a completely different style. Fortunate Fleur had the easier name and so usurped Matania's place if not in my affections then at least in my vocabulary!

The history is interesting - not the usual stories although since they are european I have not too much idea of theie accuracy - but no one would buy this book for the written content, good though it actually is.

By the way, Matania illustrated for Look & Learn, a children's mag my parents subscriped to for us. I see it ceased publication in 1982 but it was cartainly going strong back in the early 70s. The Trigan Empire was a huge fave of course but Matania's pictures transformed any story into a delight. I have found a wonderful website allowing one to view and downlaod some the the paibntings this wonderful illustrator created for the magazine.… (meer)