PhilH: Curtgeld: Eric Blair in Catalonia (20 Points)

The final run in, and time to present my Curtgeld for this Challenge. I wanted to present something to Curt related to our shared interest in the Spanish Civil War, as that's what I've been painting for most of the past year, and Curt's own collection has been a great inspiration. So here's my rendition of Eric Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell, from his time serving in the Spanish Civil War.

He's from Artizan Designs' Thrilling Tales range, they've managed a very good likeness.

In December 1936, Blair, a democratic socialist and staunch anti-fascist, set out for Spain to fight for the Republicans. Entering Catalonia from France, he encountered the conflicting factions supporting the government in Barcalona, and joined The Worker's Party of Marxist Unification - POUM. Sent to the quiet Aragon Front, he initially saw little action, but deprivations visited on the loyalists from lack of supplies. Having recnently married, his wife Eileen O'Shaughnessy visited him there.

 

 

He traveled to Madrid, intending to join the Communist party's International Brigades. There he was appalled at the factionalism dogging the Republican cause and denunciations of POUM from the Communist press, and resolved to return to Catalonia instead. Back at the front, he was wounded in the neck by a sniper and ruled medically unfit to serve longer. Blair being 6'2" was probably a factor, you can identify him in the photo below by standing a head taller than his comrades. By June, POUM had been outlawed as a "fascist" organisation that hindered the Republican cause, and as its members were arrested and put on trial, Blair fled to France and then back to England. 

 

 

So why a "gambler, daredevil or risk-taker"? Well, I thought as a published author, setting aside his burgeoning career to participate in an unpopular foreign conflict for his beliefs was quite a colossal gamble. And actively seeking combat to fight for what he believed in was undoubtedly risky - while he later wrote about the conflict, he didn't travel to Spain as a journalist. 

 

I painted him as best I could to fit in with Curt's existing SCW collection, choosing appropriate colours as best I could and using more subtle skin tone to my usual. The base is left bare for Curt to match. I couldn't resist giving him a patch showing his allegiance to POUM, a white hammer and sickle on red. 

 

I hope you like this small token Curt, and deepest thanks for putting on this winter extravaganza of painting once again. And thanks to all those that have offered their time, enthusiasm and humour to help out this year. 

 

Oh wow, this is absolutely lovely Phil. I've not done any of the 'celebrities' of the Spanish Civil war and so it's such a treat to get one from a fellow SCW aficionado. I had to laugh aloud when I read, 'I painted him as best I could to fit in with Curt's existing SCW collection, choosing appropriate colours as best I could and using more subtle skin tone to my usual.' This figure, with it's patented 'Smooth-Hand-Phil' paintjob will stand out like a sore thumb amidst my rough-and-ready paint style. That being said, you won't see me complaining!! Thanks so much Phil!