"Return to the Bump/Biggin Hill" - Gil Cohen - Hurricane 32nd Squadron Art

GIL COHEN

A highly schooled fine arts illustrator, Gil Cohen studied under Henry C. Pitz at the Philadelphia College of Art. In 1955, Cohen served as artist with the SHAEF Headquarters, Military Intelligence U.S. Army in West Germany.

His subsequent career as a freelance artist included service to a multitude of clients including the U.S. Information Agency, the National Park Service, Paramount Pictures, Bantam Books, Harlequin Books, Random House, Holt Reinhart Winston, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Coast Guard, Warner-Lambert and Boeing-Sikorsky.

Truly a "gold medal artist" Gil Gohen's exhibitions and awards are numerous. They include the National Military Park system, the Kennedy Center and the Pentagon. He has been awarded gold medals and best of shows by the American Society of Aviation Artists and has received the certificate of merit from the New York Society of Illustrators, as well as the Franklin Mint Award. Cohen is a member of the Air Force Art Program, the New York Society of Illustrators and serves as Coast Guard Illustrator. As an Artist Fellow Member of the American Society of Aviation Artists, he has held the position of Vice President and Chairman of the Exhibition Committee.

He also has a great interest in history and aviation which is reflected in much of his work. His vivid interest in the human aspects of the various wars throughout the centuries zeros in on the interactions between men, which eventually have lead to confrontations and successive warring between peoples and nations. He is continually mystified by the recurring observations that some of the most beautiful mechanisms of engineering, designed by humans, are often created by man for the purpose of war.

Cohen's creative energies are excited and stimulated by the abstract and geometric shapes of structures of all kinds. He has a keen interest in outer space and related subjects.

Gil Cohen Signed and numbered Limited Edition Print "Return to the Bump/Biggin Hill, Summer 1940"

A testament to the enduring courage of the brave men and women who won the Battle of Britain

Flight Lieutenant Pete Brothers is greeted by his bull terrier “Merlin” on returning to RAF Biggin Hill. He is being questioned by the intelligence officer about the intense air battle that has just taken place high over Southern England. The ground crew are diligently working to prepare the Hurricanes of 32 Squadron for the next sortie, which will take place later that day. Pete's Bentley can be seen parked in the right foreground with its "Air Defence Priority" windscreen sticker. On the table to the left we see a set of draughts, a folded copy of The Daily Express and tea cups - signs of having passed the time while waiting for the signal to "scramble".

The summer of 1940 was one of the most crucial in the history of great britain. With the fall of France, Hitler's armies now occupied most of the continent of Europe. Germany was poised for the invasion of England. Before that could happen, it was vital for the Luftwaffe to dominate the skies over Britain. This would mean the total destruction of the Royal Air Force. It was men such as Pete Brothers and others in the RAF who stopped Hitler in his tracks.

This 28" by 14-1/2" image size print, 33" by 20" overall, limited to 300, is signed by the artist.

Also available in a Limited Edition print signed by Gil Cohen, Air Commodore Pete Brothers and Wing Commander Jack Rose - limited to 500 - $195

Artist Proof Editions, signed by Gil Cohen, Air Commodore Pete Brothers, Wing Commander Jack Rose and Group Captain John White (three pilots of No. 32 Squadron who fought in the Battle of Britain) - limited to 100 - $275

A Limited Edition print is restricted to a certain number. For example, if 400 prints are made from an original painting, once they’re gone, that’s it. There is no limit to the number of open edition prints of a particular painting. That’s why Limited Edition prints are more expensive — and more valuable to collectors — than "open" edition. Rare objects are more valuable.

All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered (S/N) individually and include a Certificate of Authenticity.

An Artist Proof (AP), generally, is the first 5% - 10% of the Limited Edition prints that come off the press. If the Limited Edition is 400 s/n, there would be 20 - 40 APs. This status is noted on the print. Collectors prefer APs because their value increases even more than a Limited Edition as time goes by.

All Limited Edition artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain currrent as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.