| Invasion Pattern, Normandy (1944) |
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| Written by Michael LeBlanc | |
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Eric attached a comment to the painting: “Impression of the landing beaches at Greu-sur-mer, Normandy, and Mustang A/C with D-Day pattern. This pattern of 3 white and 2 black stripes was painted on all allied aircraft to avoid confusion. Below are ships and L.T.S. [sic] disgorging transport.”
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What started out as advertising became propaganda, and that is why many of the self conscious who are embroiled in the business refer to it as a “racket”. They mean it is untruthful. They mean it is propaganda and not advertising which they wish it was.
Propaganda means the selling of opinions for a purpose. Advertising means the declaration of facts. Today we use the wrong word.
While in Normandy, Eric flew over the landing beaches and was able to study the marks and colours as seen from the air. His friendships with the photo interpreters in the Reconnaissance Squadron enabled him to acquire photographs of the area for reference. The result of this research, executed much later in his studio in London, is “Invasion Pattern, Normandy” Eric’s finest picture of his war years and one of the best known of Canada’s war art collection.