Sunday Dispatch with coronation scene by Matania

Front cover of the Sunday Dispatch newspaper featuring an impression of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II done by the artist prior to the event - the paper is dated 31 May 1953 whereas the coronation took place on 2 June. Fortunino Matania was an Italian-born artist who had begun to work for illustrated papers in his own country while still a teenager. He moved to London in 1900 and was engaged to work as special artist for The Sphere in 1904. His art was renowned for its almost photographic realism and its precise attention to detail. Matania had covered three coronations prior to 1953 and his combination of experience, virtuosity and passion for research and detail resulted in a painting remarkably close to the real event

Apr23 Crowning Dispatch Forecast Fortunino Impression Matania

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