Animals

Goodbye Old Man - Soldier and dying horse during WWI

Goodbye Old Man is a striking image of a soldier bidding farewell to his fatally injured horse. Goodbye Old Man was commissioned by the Blue Cross in 1916 to raise money to help horses on active service.
The artist is Fortunino Matania and it is one of his most famous war-time illustrations. Fortunino Matania (1881 - 1963) was born in Naples.
During and after the war, his work adorned many a history book. During the 1st World War Matania mainly worked for the British magazine The Sphere as their star illustrator, usually producing one full page illustration or more per weekly issue.
He was also employed by the British government and commissioned by individual British regiments. He visited the front several times which allowed him to view wartime conditions at first hand and talk with soldiers about their experiences. From sketches and memory he could then finish a painting, often within a few days.

© Mary Evans Picture Library

POLAR BEAR

A group of polar bears in an icy landscape. One has caught a fish and is warning the others off with a fierce growl. Date: 1865

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Bear, Caught, Fierce, Fish, Fredol, Group, Growl, Historical, History, Icy, Landscape, Polar, Warning

Beetles and Butterflies

Insects of the English countryside - including Stag Beetle (lucanus), Tiger Beetle (cicindelida) and a variety of butterflies and moths (lepidoptera).

© Mary Evans Picture Library

1860, Assorted, Beetle, Beetles, Butterflies, Cicindelida, Country Side, English, Historical, History, Honey Suckle, Including, Insects, Lepidoptera, Lucanus, Moths, Stag, Tiger, Variety