Sydney Carline

Sydney Carline was a British artist known for recapitulating the unique aerial views of World War I combat he was privy to as a fighter pilot for the British Army. After finding himself a small studio while stationed in Italy, Carline’s unofficial paintings gained attention from superiors. He and his brother Richard, who was also an artist, were soon sent to the Middle East as official wartime artists. The brothers embraced the opportunity to travel through an unfamiliar region full of ancient history and visited numerous archeological sites. Having recorded a combined 300 sketches of historic events like the Kurdish uprising, and destructive bombings in the Ottoman Empire, the brothers returned to Europe to complete the government’s commissions. When the brothers returned home in 1919, the government’s funds were depleted from the War, and could only afford to purchase four complete paintings from Sydney and three from Richard. Though the situation was potentially devastating, the brothers were left with their sketches to complete works they would own themselves, resulting in successful exhibitions and private sales. Sydney Carline died of pneumonia at age 40 in 1929 while Richard continued a combined career in art and military, working in aircraft production and founding numerous organizations to promote murals and artistic endeavors.