Charles Pears, PSMA, ROI British, 1873-1958
Wing Commander Norman Macmillan flying above cloud level
signed 'Chas. Pears.' (lower right), and inscribed 'Wing Commander Norman Macmillan/actually witnessed this scene and relived it to a friend/He in turn painted this picture/and presented it to him.' (on a label attached to the reverse)
oil on canvas laid on board
15¼ x 24¾ in. (38.7 x 62.8 cm)
Sold
Wing Commander Norman Macmillan, OBE, MC, AFC, DL (9 August 1892 - 5 August 1976) was born in Glasgow, Scotland and served during World War I as a pilot on the Western Front in 1917-18 with the RFC and RAF, flying Sopwith 1½ Strutter and Sopwith Camel aircraft. In 1918 he was decorated with the Military Cross 'for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty', and also received the Air Force Cross.
This most remarkable painting depicts Macmillan's plane, seen from above with a 'glory', an optical phenomenon that resembles a rainbow halo, encircling the planes' shadow, as witnessed and described to Pears by Macmillan.