Georges Villa (1883-1965) - Colour lithograph - Gallant scene

Georges Villa (1883-1965) Colour lithograph. "Galant Scene" Signed bottom right and numbered 11/500 bottom left. Art Deco, circa 1930/1940. Blue embossed mount. Dimensions (with mount): 52.5x42.5cm. Dimensions (without mount): 39.5x30cm. Good condition, slight foxing and soiling, wear to the mount. *Georges Villa was a Parisian painter-draughtsman-illustrator who published in the press, worked on commission for publishing, and frequented the Montmartre artistic community. Surprised by the mobilisation in Russia, he joined the 132nd Infantry Regiment where he was wounded in November 1914. He then rejoined his unit at Éparges and was wounded again in April 1915. Accepted into aviation in July 1915, he began pilot training. Assigned to MF 50 in January 1916 with the rank of lieutenant, he later took a staff position in Bar-le-Duc to train infantry in liaison with aviation. Promoted to captain, and ill in the spring of 1917, he was ultimately assigned to an aviation school: deputy director in Juvisy, personnel chief in Étampes, he finished the war in Châteauroux. He then continued his career as a painter-draughtsman, specialising particularly in the theme of aviation.