Prisoner in a Cupboard (Original)
Medium: Mixed Media on Board
Size: 13" x 17" (325mm x 420mm)
Date: 1965
Code: BruceDogLL
This is the unique original Mixed Media art by Ralph Bruce.
A bizarre true story from World War One. Trooper Patrick Fowler found himself behind enemy lines when his horse was shot from under him. He was eventual rescued by locals and lived for four years in a lady's house in Bertry.
Unfortunately for him eight German soldiers were billeted in the house and so Fowler spent most of his time hiding in a cupboard. On one occasion a nosey dog almost gave the game away.
When British troops arrived in 1918 the sickened and half starved Fowler was originally arrested for desertion before being recognised by his former officer. The cabinet he lived in for years now resides in the Imperial War Museum.
- Artist Biography
Ralph Bruce
Ralph Bruce was a talented illustrator who worked for Look and Learn in the 1960s. Until the mid-1960s he was a regular artist for The Children's Newspaper and was probably brought to the educational paper by former Children's Newspaper editor, John Davies, who took over the editorship of Look and Learn in 1965.
His artwork covered a huge range of subjects. His historical illustrations ranged from ancient Greece and Roman Britain, to the eras of Shakespeare, Caxton and modern journalism. He was particularly adept at portraits and drew everyone from Dickens to the Beatles for Look and Learn as well as contributing covers for various series, including Famous Couples and When They Were Young in the late 1960s. Some of his best work was contributed to the long-running series The Story of Opera, penned by Robin May.
Prior to working for Look and Learn, Bruce had illustrated book covers for Digit Books in the late 1950s, titles including The Deep Six by Martin Dibner, I Came Back by Krysyna Zywulska, White August by John Boland, Air Patrol Biscay by Richard T. Bickers, Horns of the Dragon by Felix Trigg, Battle of the Bulge by William M. Stokoe, The God of Channel 1 by Donald Stacy, Nor Iron Bars a Cage by W. H. Aston, all in 1957.
Source: From biographical notes by Steve Holland