Oil portrait by B. E. Ward

32 x 52” oil on canvas painting dated 1920 depicts an identified World War I American motorcycle messenger on his Harley-Davidson. Ward, founder and director of St. John Woods Art School, London, England for thirty (30) years, won the Rothschild Prize for best work in enamels in 1906, held 5 medals in the Royal Academy and was renowned for his pre-Raphaelite images. In 1913 the artist came to the United States and settled in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bernard E. Ward was commissioned by E. H. Bair, Sr., a prominent Greensburg, PA business man to execute this oiling painting from a photograph taken of his son prior to his death on July 30, 1918. As per an eyewitness and survivor of the bomb blast in the 4th day of the battle of Ourcq (a continuation of the Battle of Marne, France) “When the high explosive shell struck the Regimental Headquarters Edward Bair (110th Infantry) was sitting on his motorcycle about to deliver an order for the removal of 2000 shells to an advanced position.” (Quote from memorial book)

The painting retains its original frame (4 inch gilded) and the family Memorial Book recounting Private Bair’s military record, family history, several photos, including before and after photos of the Regimental Headquarters building that was destroyed during the blast that killed Edward Bair Jr., as well as many other details including an account of the blast given by a soldier at the site who survived. Rarely is there the opportunity to obtain such familial knowledge of a historically important painting identifying the subject and the vintage Harley Davidson motorcycle. Unfortunately, the original photograph that this painting depicts has been lost over the years; however this is a unique opportunity to acquire a piece of history directly from the family.