Appeal to identify ‘Ray’ the mystery painter of superb WWI battle scenes
A COLLECTOR is trying to identify an artist who created stunning First World War paintings worth £4,000.
The 27 pictures bought by antiques dealer David Boothby, 59, have simply been signed “Ray”.
They came into his possession after they were first found at a house clearance, then sold at a car boot sale, then a market and finally bought by another collector.
It is not known if Ray, who is believed to be from Hertfordshire, served in the war. The artworks date from 1981 to 1984.
However, it is thought he may have been old enough to fight – as a lead from a potential co-worker at Vauxhall in nearby Luton remembers him being roughly the right age.
Most of the paintings appear to have been meticulously copied from illustrations and photographs in newspapers, journals and magazines.
The oil paintings show British soldiers engaged in battle, charging with fixed bayonets and fleeing explosions on horseback.
Depicted with striking brush strokes, several bloody conflicts on the Western Front are captured, with scenes from France and Belgium.
The paintings also show convoys of wounded soldiers leaving the front and gun fights at Le Cateau, Neuve Chapelle and Zeebrugge.
David, who lives in Dingwall, in the Highlands, bought the collection from a contact in Hitchin, Herts.
He said: “They are superb – like nothing I have ever handled before.
“I did not know what I was looking at but I just had a gut feeling about them – in this business you have to follow your instincts.
“I want to find out who Ray is and where they came from. I don’t know if he was a Tommy, he could be.
“It would be wonderful if we could give him his due credit.”