Walter Percy Day – The Master of the Matte

One of the most important names in any historical survey of matte painting and special photographic effects development from the silent era of the early twenties right on through to the technicolor period of the mid fifties must be that of noted British artist and cinema pioneer Walter Percy Day.

A popular misconception among authors and filmographers is that Day was French – quite a popular misconception due in part to his long involvement as something of a celebrated cinematic svengali in the highly productive silent film industry in France throughout a significant period of the 1920’s and early 30’s.

As with other notable matte painters from the formative days of the medium, Day was first and foremost a fine artist – and a highly regarded one at that who’s works would later hang ‘on the line’ (which in itself was no mean feat) at the Royal Academy in London. An outstanding oil painter of the much admired (especially by this author) school of Orientalism, Day would in fact reside for several years in Tunisia as part of an active artists colony – a popular route for budding painters to follow in the 19th and early 20th century where many would find their artistic expression in London, Paris, Rome, Florence and Venice being the most popular for practically all painters of note, with Egypt and North Africa the place to be for those with an Orientalist bent…

…Read the Full Article @ Matte Shot

This blog is intended as a tribute to the ingenuity of the traditional matte painter where movie magic was created entirely by hand. Some of the shots will amaze in their grandeur and epic quality while others will surprise in their ‘invisibility’ to even the sophisticated viewer. I hope this collection will serve as an appreciation of the artform and both casual visitors and those with a specialist interest may benefit, enjoy and be amazed at skills largely unknown today

NZPete

I have gone further back into the archives of Matte Shot – A Tribute to Golden Era Special FX to feature even more articles from this great site, so  I hope you enjoy this wonderful journey we’re on together.

PJ Max