Jo Kotula Signed WWII Military Nurse Portrait Manila Dec 1941 Original Art

Description

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🏷️ Title

Jo Kotula Signed WWII Military Nurse Portrait Manila Dec 1941 Original Art

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📖 Description

Offered here is an unusually compelling original military portrait signed Jo Kotula, depicting a woman in nurse’s attire with a red cross emblem standing between two uniformed servicemen in a lush tropical setting.

The work is especially notable for its handwritten inscription, which provides a very specific historical context.

In the lower-right corner, alongside the artist’s signature, the inscription appears to read:

“Drawn By
Jo Kotula
FROM PHOTO TAKEN
IN MANILA P.I.
DEC. ’41”

Immediately beneath or adjacent to the artist’s signature is a mark that appears to read ’47, possibly indicating that the artwork was completed or signed in 1947. This interpretation has not been independently documented.

The wording of the inscription suggests that the underlying photograph was taken in Manila, Philippine Islands, in December 1941. That distinction is important: December 1941 appears to identify the date of the source photograph rather than necessarily the date of the finished artwork.

The Composition

The central figure is a woman wearing a blue uniform or dress and a white nurse’s head covering bearing a prominent red cross.

She stands between two men dressed in khaki military uniforms and garrison caps.

The figures stand closely together, with overlapping arms reinforcing the composition’s personal and intimate quality.

Rather than reading as a generic wartime propaganda image, the arrangement appears to have been developed from a specific photograph of three actual individuals.

Their identities remain unknown, and no unsupported identification is being asserted in this listing.

The faces are particularly well rendered. Each figure has individualized facial structure, expression and modeling rather than generalized or idealized features.

The servicemen’s uniforms include carefully observed details such as belts, pockets, buttons, folds and cap insignia. The woman’s clothing and nurse’s head covering are also rendered with attention to detail.

Behind the group is dense tropical foliage worked in layered greens, yellows and earth tones, visually reinforcing the Manila association documented in the inscription.

Artist — Jo Kotula

The lower-right signature reads Jo Kotula.

Jo Kotula (1910–1998) was an American professional illustrator known particularly for aviation, military, magazine and figurative subjects.

His body of work included commercial illustration, aviation imagery, portraiture and related subjects, and he worked in media including watercolor, gouache, mixed media and oil.

The technique visible here — carefully modeled human figures combined with more freely handled environmental elements — is consistent with the visual language of professional illustration art.

The artwork is being offered as a signed Jo Kotula work based on the signature visibly present on the piece.

No separate certificate of authenticity accompanies the artwork.

Medium

The work appears to be mixed media—possibly watercolor and/or gouache—on artist board. Because it remains under protective glazing, the exact medium has not been independently confirmed.

Apparent ’47 Date

Immediately beneath or adjacent to the artist’s signature is a mark that appears to read ’47, possibly indicating that the artwork was completed or signed in 1947. This interpretation has not been independently documented.

Accordingly, the listing distinguishes between:

Source Photograph Date: December 1941
Apparent Artwork Date: Possibly 1947

Manila — December 1941

The inscription referencing Manila, P.I., December 1941 is one of the most compelling elements of the artwork.

December 1941 places the source photograph at an extraordinary moment in the history of the Philippines and the opening phase of the Pacific War.

The original photograph mentioned in the inscription was not present when this artwork was acquired and has not been located.

The identities of the nurse and the two servicemen remain unknown and may offer an interesting avenue for future historical research.

Provenance — Brigadier General Robert Benton Neely

This artwork came from the estate of Brigadier General Robert Benton Neely, United States Army.

Neely was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1933, and had a distinguished military career spanning the World War II and Korean War eras.

His documented service included high-level Army command and leadership, and he ultimately retired at the rank of brigadier general.

This provenance creates an especially appropriate military association for the artwork.

However, provenance should not be confused with identification of the sitters.

There is currently no evidence establishing General Neely as either of the two servicemen shown, and no such representation is being made.

Mohr Art Galleries Provenance

The reverse retains an older circular label identifying:

Mohr Art Galleries
915 Madison Ave.
Toledo, Ohio

The gallery label remains with the artwork and is an important part of its surviving framing and ownership history.

The existing backing and label have intentionally been retained rather than replaced.

GNUWHIT / Gnu Found Art

This piece is offered through GNUWHIT’s Gnu Found Art collection, which focuses on rediscovering, researching and returning unusual estate, vintage and overlooked artwork to collectors.

This painting is particularly representative of that mission: a piece that had previously been broadly identified has now yielded a readable artist signature, a possible ’47 date, a historically specific Manila December 1941 inscription, military-estate provenance and an identifiable gallery label.

It should appeal to collectors of:

WWII military artwork
Jo Kotula illustration art
American military history
Philippines and Manila history
Pacific Theater material
Historic nursing imagery
American illustration art
West Point-related material
Military portraiture
Estate-found artwork

The combination of a Jo Kotula signature, apparent ’47 date, and the inscription “From Photo Taken in Manila P.I. Dec. ’41” gives this piece an unusually specific and compelling historical narrative.

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📏 Measurements

Approximate framed dimensions:

23 in high × 19 in wide × 3 in deep

Please review the measurement photographs for additional visual confirmation.

The artwork is sold complete in its existing decorative frame.

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🚚 Shipping Note

This is a substantial, framed and fragile vintage artwork that will require careful protective packing.

It will be packed conservatively using substantial cushioning, rigid protection and an appropriately sized shipping carton. Insurance appropriate to the sale value will be used when available through the selected shipping service.

Shipping is not combined with other purchases.

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🔎 Condition Description

Vintage original artwork in attractive display condition with age-related wear consistent with its apparent period and framing history.

The image presents strongly with good color, detailed portrait work and no major image loss readily apparent through the glazing in the supplied photographs.

The decorative frame shows expected age-related surface wear, small marks, finish variation and other imperfections.

The artwork remains under protective glazing. Reflections and glare visible in several photographs are from the glazing and surrounding lights and should not be mistaken for painted areas or image loss.

The reverse retains an older paper or fiberboard backing that is heavily deteriorated, including tears, cracking, losses, old tape and previous repairs.

The backing has intentionally been left substantially undisturbed because it retains the vintage Mohr Art Galleries, Toledo, Ohio label and forms part of the object’s surviving framing history.

No attempt has been made by the seller to professionally clean, restore or conserve the artwork.

Due to the age of the piece and the condition of the reverse backing, a future owner may choose to consult a professional conservator or archival framer. Preservation of the existing gallery label is recommended.

Please review all photographs carefully, including close-ups of the artwork, signature, apparent ’47 mark, inscription, frame, reverse and gallery label, as the photographs form an important part of the condition description.

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🧩 Item Specifics

Artist: Jo Kotula
Artist Life Dates: 1910–1998
Type: Original Artwork / Illustration Art
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Signed: Yes
Signature: Jo Kotula
Signature Location: Lower Right
Dated: Apparently ’47
Apparent Artwork Date: Possibly 1947
Inscribed: Yes
Inscription: From Photo Taken in Manila P.I. Dec. ’41
Source Photograph Date: December 1941
Source Photograph Location: Manila, Philippine Islands
Subject: Military Portrait
Secondary Subject: Nurse / Two Military Servicemen
Theme: Military / World War II / Manila Philippines
Style: American Illustration / Figurative Realism
Medium: Mixed media, apparently watercolor/gouache-type media on artist board
Material: Artist Board
Time Period Produced: 1940s
Framed: Yes
Frame Type: Decorative Vintage Frame
Gallery Label: Mohr Art Galleries
Gallery Address: 915 Madison Ave., Toledo, Ohio
Provenance: Estate of Brigadier General Robert Benton Neely, U.S. Army
Military Provenance: West Point Class of 1933 / U.S. Army Brigadier General Estate
Depicted Persons: Unidentified
Original Photograph: Not Present / Not Located
Approx. Framed Height: 23 in
Approx. Framed Width: 19 in
Approx. Depth: 3 in
Handmade: Yes
One of a Kind: Yes

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