Fortunino Matania

Fortunino Matania




Naples his place of birth

eighteen eighty one graced the earth.

His father an artist of local acclaim

Fortunino cut out for international fame.




Innate talent an early sign

designing adverts aged just nine.

To Paris and illustration work

invitations gave him a perk.




In nineteen 0 two London bound

Edward the Seventh was to be crowned.

Right up to nineteen fifty three

painted every event of British Royalty.




In the First World War

brought Henry Tandy to the fore.

Taking his part in this famous story

where Tandy gained fame and glory.




Then a wide range of historical events

dramatic, traumatic moments.

Exhibited regularly at The Royal Academy

known by thousands of fame and infamy.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktI_l07PBZo

John Nash

John Nash
Born eleventh of April eighteen  ninety three
Earls Court London his entry.
His father Recorder of Abingdon
a law man, a positive way to  get on.
John's first love was botany
his brother Paul the artistic wannabe.
Both brothers College educated
ambitious, keen to get ahead.
At college John won a botany prize
a career in botany this implies.
No! this wasn't to be
eventually choosing artistry.
Paul encouraged this artistic trait
noticed Johns ability to create.
Picking who I like most
John I think was first past the post.
Slide show@

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/john-northcote-nash/paintings/slideshow#/66

Henry Lamb

Henry Lamb




Lamb was Australian by birth

eighteen eighty three he graced the earth.

Manchester, England the family moved

fathers career prospect improved,




Father a professor in the education game

well known, not destined for fame.

Henry educated at Manchester Grammar

not bad, an average performer.




A brief spell studying medicine

restless for at art he packed it in.

Then off to a Paris art academy

started to paint scenes in Brittany.




Death of a Peasant was painted there

A sad work projects dispair.

Back to London finishing medical studies

then joins the army in charge of auxiliaries.




Badly gassed near the end of the war

the end of his tour with the medical corps.

The Military Cross for gallantry

and more fame for his artistry.







https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0CSe_JfDEc

C W Nevinson

C W Nevinson

Hampstead, London he was born

in education rather forlorn.

Uppingham, Rutland away from home

he hated it, bored, felt alone.

Back to London, St Johns Wood

an art school the company good.

Then the Slade School he made a start

its head advised him to abandon art.

Off to France and the Paris set

Vladimir Lenin and Picasso he met.

Back to London and war broke out

in France too many Germans about.

Nevinson joined an ambulance unit

up front in the thick of it.

In quiet times he'd paint, draw

for his best work he needed war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZTgC5-DLxo

Otto Dix

Otto Dix

Otto Dix born eighteen ninety one

lets think now what was on?

Wilhelm the second on the German throne

in Britain, Victoria his grandmother ruled alone.

Always keen about art

his cousin a painter played his part.

Then Dresden Academy to learn more

after that The Great War.

Dix enthusiastically volunteered

at the end much revered .

An Iron Cross he wore with pride

the rank of Sergeant Major beside.

Back to art after the war

painting many of the scenes he saw.

Some of them not a pretty sight

World War One a dreadful fight.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Otto+Dix+Les+Tranchee+De&Form=VQFRVP#view=detail&mid=99258D1A349115DC345B99258D1A349115DC345B

Andy MCNab

Andy Mcnab

[Steven Billy Mitchell. DCM.MM]

Certainly not an auspicious start

those with parents take heart.

Found in a Harrods shopping bag

discarded like a piece of rag.

On the steps of Guys hospital

located in the countries capitol.

Nineteen fifty nine the year

a huge fire on Southend Pier.

Brought up in Peckham an adopted lad

school reports rather bad.

A bit of burglary in seventy six

included in his bag of tricks.

Then he tried the army game

The Green Jackets by name.

A Sergeant with platoon command

the Military Medal in N. Ireland.

Then a transfer to the SAS

having a little more success.

An instructor in an intelligence Coy.

In that Harrod's bag the real McCoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc5R3erB4Yc

Paul Nash

Paul Nash

A Kensington London man

eighteen eighty nine life began.

Shows an early interest in art

his prosperous family played their part.




Sent him to the Slade College

a school to improve his knowledge.

He failed to make the drawing grade

after one year he left dismayed .




A few shows with landscapes shown

not as yet very well known.

Then came the first world war

not for him blood and gore.




The Artist Rifles a London regiment

continuing his artistic development.

Then a commission as a war artist

a war propaganda careerist.




A batman and chauffeur at his command

Ypres and Flanders he'd see first hand.

Incessant rain, men being slain

draw, paint in the devils domain.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTSZ6Wbvb1g

Ronald Searle

Ronald Searle




Ronald Searle a Cambridge man

nineteen twenty life began.

Two years after the great war

a young Hitler wanted more.




Dissatisfied with the end result

“ I will bring more tumult,

we weren’t beaten in the great war,

hungry Berlin closed the door.




Nineteen thirty three Hitler ruled his land

at last he was in total command.

Nineteen thirty nine Hitler got his war

Searle volunteers for the Engineer Corps.







https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnu769z66U8

John Waterhouse

John William Waterhouse, born Rome

Pope Pious the 1X on the throne.

Quote“Mary conceived without sin,

believe it, your in.

But who was Jesus-is dad

was it any old jack the lad.

Somebody got it in

even if sex is a sin.

Now back to JW and art

a Pre–Raphaelite at heart.

Not as well known as some

nor exactly adventuresome.

His Lady of Shallot a delight

left it late to be a knight.

Sleep and and half-Brother Death

doesn't make me catch my breath.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px7trjFwv3Y

Canaletto

Canaletto

Born sixteen ninety seven

into an earthly heaven.

Venice had immense wealth, power

the eighteenth century its final hour.

His father in the theatre industry

set design a family proclivity.

Initially trained by his father

then finished with him all together.

Set painting not his style

naturalism more worthwhile

Canaletto's work no mystery

exact paintings for history.

Nothing intellectual to understand

preciseness takes command.

What you get is what you see

Canaletto no visionary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StPYCVmnPC8

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

A log cabin his place of birth

eighteen 0 nine he graced the earth.

The blue grass state a Kentucky boy

eventually becoming the real McCoy.

In education Lincoln self taught

stood alone in mind, thought.

His freedom fight caused much strife

he hated slavery all his life.

Farmhand, lawyer then politician

great insight and ambition.

A rocky ride for political might

not all issues about black, white.

A more unified America was his game

modernizing industry another aim.

Opposed to the Mexican war

called it pro-slavery and more.

In eighteen sixty he became President

In sixty one a White House resident.

On April 12^th civil war declared

the Fort Sumter attack well prepared.

President Lincoln managed the war

encouraging Union esprit de corps.

Eighteen sixty five a Union victory

Lincoln gains esteem and dignity.

At Fords theatre Washington DC

President Lincoln ends life journey.

A bullet to back of his head

the next day our hero was dead.

http://www.history.com/shows/blood-and-glory-the-civil-war-in-color/videos/lincolns-gettysburg-address?cmpid=mrss_int_taboola_video_his

Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie

Lionel Brockman Richie

born into the bourgoisie.

Nineteen forty nine the year

Alabama, a racist atmosphere.

To Joliet, Illinois his family moved

mothers professional life improved.

Principal at the local school

confident, assured, cool.

Richie graduated from Joliet high

then he waved academics goodbye.

A high school tennis ace

but music taking first place.

A singer with The Commodores

saxophonist on many tours.

His big break when he went alone

his real talent clearly shown.

Lionel Richie his debut album

Tuskegee awarded a platinum.

After twenty five years back on top

still the boss of romance and pop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1xiFRccd88&list=PL10D8BB24536AE162

Richard Marx

Richard Marx

The Windy City. Chicago, Illinois

was graced with another boy.

Nineteen sixty three the year

a happy family in good cheer.

Father in the musical game

enjoying local, some national fame.

Mother a singer by choice

little said about her voice.

Still in his teens he met a star

Lionel Richie was going far.

Richie said he should move to LA

a move Marx blessed to this day.

Richie troubled with his first album

backing vocal he couldn't fathom.

Marx moved in sorted it out

proving he was some standout.

The LA move four years now

Marx still no cash cow.

Then a call from EMI

Marx new he'd hit the bulls eye.

Write and record as you will

for Marks, what a thrill.

His first seven in the top five

an explosive way to arrive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_uWS6K-VF8&list=RDH9nPf7w7pDI&index=8