"The Kill" 1940 Oil Painting by Hunter Wood

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Original Hunter Wood oil on board painting depicting a British Spitfire fighter shooting down a German JU-87 Stuka dive bomber; … Read more Original Hunter Wood oil on board painting depicting a British Spitfire fighter shooting down a German JU-87 Stuka dive bomber; signed lower right, verso titled. The Spitfire bears the FZL code, indicating the Royal Air Force's 65th Squadron, which is historically accurate, as the squadron flew Spitfires from 1939 to 1943, when the squadron began flying P-51 Mustangs. We have in our collection a watercolor painting by Hunter Wood of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, that is dated 1940, and believe the Spitfire and Stuka painting was executed in late 1940, contemporaneous with the Battle of Britain. Painting size: 11 x 15 inches. Very good condition, save for some edge wear easily covered by a frame. Ex. Phyllis Lucas Gallery collection.

Hunter Wood (1908-1948) was an American realist painter who specialized in marine and nautical paintings. Hunter Wood was born in Babylon, Long Island, the son of the famous marine painter Worden George Wood, and the great-grandson of John L. Worden who commanded the "Monitor" in its fight against the "Merrimac" in the Civil War. At the age of 17, Hunter Wood entered the New York Merchant Marine Academy. His experiences at sea became the references for the subject matter of his paintings. After leaving the Merchant Marines, Hunter Wood became a marine illustrator for several firms, including the United States Lines, the French Line, the Macmillian Company, and the United States Shipping Board. He was also a staff artist for The World and The New York Herald in New York and The Boston Herald. Hunter Wood was a combat artist in World War II, painting realistic aircraft and air combat scenes. See less