New print release - Udet v. Guynemer

[Russell Smith]

Hi Gang. For those of you who have been requesting prints of my image "A Lesson From the Master", your time has come. This image - my interpretation of the famous encounter between Ernst Udet and Georges Guynemer is now available as a limited edition 22" x 17" giclee.

As I have done with previous releases, I will be offering the print at a special introductory price of $80 until March 25. After March 25 the price will go up to $115 where it will stay. The edition consists of 200 prints and I am offering two remarques for this print -- a small portrait of Ernst Udet and a small portrait of Georges Guynemer. Remarques are $25 each.

"A Lesson From the Master" is a depiction of the famous aerial encounter between Ernst Udet and Georges Guynemer. Both were out alone when they came across each other in the sky. A fight ensued which lasted for many minutes.After a long standoff, Udet finally drew a bead on Guynemer only to have his guns jam. Being defenseless at that point, Udet though himself a sitting duck. He beat on his guns with his fists in an attempt to unstop them, all the while antcipating the lethal shot from Guynemer. To his surprise, however, the unexpected happens - “For a moment I have let go of the stick and hammer the receiver with both fists. A primitive expedient, but sometimes it works. Guynemer has observed this from above, he must have seen it, and now he knows what gives with me. I’m helpless prey. Again he skims over me, almost on his back. Then it happens: He sticks out his hand and waves to me, waves lightly, and dives to the west in the direction of his lines. I fly home. I’m numb.”

http://www.russellsmithart.com/Small%20pages/ALessonfromtheMaster.html

cheers
Russ

[Tim West]

Your painting does a great job in depicting the brief meeting between two
great pilots.

I often wonder if Guynemer was out of ammo or was just feeling generous that day Non the less he was an Ace of Aces for sure.