“Capture of the Sugar Refinery” by Fortunino Matania

The Canadian Capture of the Sugar Refinery, Courcelette, Somme, France, September 15, 1916.

Authenticity, Accuracy in the Depiction of the Great War

Today we reflect upon an event of a 100 years ago when the Canadian Expeditionary took part in its first major action of the Somme campaign during the Battle of Flers-Courclette. The Capture of the Sugar Refinery, September 15, 1916, was interpreted by Italian war artist Fortunino Matania known for his enduring passion for authenticity and accuracy in his portrayals of the Great War experience. The lithograph was published in The Sphere, November 11, 1916 and has become one of the iconic depictions of Canadian troops in battle.

The artist Fortunino Matania 1881 – 1963.

Born in Naples, Italy in 1881, Fortunino Matania was taught by his artist father whose skilled hand and eyes and ability to teach enabled Fortunino to become a talented artist at a very young age. Subsequently choosing a career as an illustrator of books and magazines in 1901 Matania commenced work, in Paris, for the Illustration Francaise and later joined the staff of The Graphic, eventually moving on to The Sphere. In 1914 Matania became a war artist and his emotive Great War work is well known for its graphic, detailed and highly realistic depictions of the soldier experience. Some of his other familiar works include, The Last General Absolution of the Munsters and Goodbye, Old Man.

The Last General Absolution of the Munster Fusiliers at Rue du Bois. The original painting was destroyed in the bombing of London during the Second World War.