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His Fatal Beauty, by Bairnsfather
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His Fatal Beauty, by Bairnsfather
His Fatal Beauty OLD BILL: " My wife married me for love, ye know, Bert" BERT (after prolonged and somewhat pained scrutiny of Bills face): " I had been wonderin what it was, Bill!" A cartoon in The Bystander by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather featuring his popular characters Old Bill, Bert and Alphie Date: 1918
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Media ID 14171944
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Bairnsfather Bert Bill Bruce Bystander Fatal Alfie
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His Fatal Beauty
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a poignant and witty cartoon by the renowned British satirical artist, Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, published in The Bystander magazine in 1918 during the height of the First World War. The image depicts two soldiers, Old Bill and Bert, sitting in a trench, with their mascot, Alphie (Alfie), a dog, lying between them. Old Bill, with a smug expression on his face, looks at Bert and boasts, "My wife married me for love, ye know, Bert." Bert, after a prolonged and somewhat pained scrutiny of Bill's face, replies, "I had been wonderin' what it was, Bill!" This humorous yet insightful vignette encapsulates the complexities of love and marriage, even in the midst of the horrors of war. The soldiers' banter serves as a reminder of the human capacity for humor and connection, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Bairnsfather's "Old Bill" series, which began in 1915, became an instant success and is considered a significant contribution to the cultural history of the First World War. The characters, with their distinctive dialect and working-class humor, resonated with the British public and offered a glimpse into the daily lives of the soldiers on the front lines. "His Fatal Beauty" is a poignant reminder of the enduring power of love and the importance of finding humor in the most unexpected places, even in the midst of war. The image, with its timeless themes and masterful use of satire, continues to captivate audiences and remains an enduring testament to Bairnsfather's artistic genius. This print is available for purchase from Mary Evans Prints Online, and is a valuable addition to any collection of historical cartoons or World War I memorabilia. The print is dated 1918, and is a reminder of the impact that art and humor had on the morale of the British people during a time of great adversity.
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