"Fourth Mission of the Day" - Gil Cohen - Spitfire 133 Eagle Squadron Art

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 "Fourth Mission of the Day"

Gil Cohen's Newest Print - Honoring the RAF "Eagle Squadrons"

The 19th of August 1942 will be remembered as the date of the ill-fated "reconnaissance-in-force", known as "Operation Jubilee" - the joint British-Canadian amphibious assault against German troops on the French coast at the harbour of Dieppe. Air cover was provided by the greatest armada of RAF aircraft assembled for battle up until that time. That day has been described as an almost continuous melee of close aerial combat; aircraft of both sides spiralling towards the sea; planes colliding in mid-air; ships burning and sinking in the harbour and along the channel coast with a pall of smoke covering the entire scene below.

Among the many RAF Fighter Command units flying that day were three "Eagle" squadrons made up of American airmen flying MK VB Spitfires. Despite heavy allied losses, the Americans carried out their mission exceptionally well. They were credited with 10 enemy aircraft destroyed, 5 "probable" and 12 damaged.

133 Eagle Squadron was led by Flight Lieutenant Donald J. M. Blakeslee, who alone was credited with shooting down one FW190 and one DO217, as well as two FW190 "probable" in a gallant attempt to protect the allied troops below. Blakeslee, also had the distinction of being the only "Eagle" commanding officer to complete all four missions on that day.

In this Gil Cohen painting, the viewer is transported back in time to the 133 Eagle Squadron's forward airbase at Lympne, England. Don Blakeslee is climbing out of the cockpit of his Spitfire after completing his 4th sortie on this long and harrowing day. On his face we can observe the countenance of lines of exhaustion, mirroring a protracted day of deadly combat. In the background other "Eagles" are coming in to land.

The following month in ceremonies at the Debden fighter base, the three RAF Eagle squadrons were transformed into the newly formed 4th Fighter Group of the US Army Eighth Air Force. Later, under the inspiring command of Colonel Don Blakeslee, the 4th Fighter Group went on to achieve great fame for the number of missions successfully completed, enemy aircraft destroyed and unit citations received.

This 20" by 14-1/2" image size print, 25" by 21-1/2" overall, limited to 450, is signed by the artist and Colonel Donald J. Blakeslee.

Also available in an Artist proof Edition signed by the artist and Col. Donald Blakeslee, Lt. Col. Wilson "Bill" Edwards and L. A. C. Edward Hayes - limited to 50 - $250.00

Pencil remarques available upon request. Inquire about price.

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’s Proof (AP), generally, is the first 10% of the Limited Edition prints that come off the press. If the Limited Edition is 400 s/n, there would be 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.

Remarqued prints are a popular way to acquire a work of original art in addition to the limited edition print. They are unique hand rendered pencil drawings relating directly to the subject of the print. They are carefully crafted and complete in every detail. These gem-like drawings embellish the border area and effectively increase the value of the print.

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.