My cousin, Lord Ivor Churchill, has written about the artistic qualities and merits of Mr. Maze’s work. I may perhaps add a few sentences about the Man.

Everybody should read his book, “A Frenchman in Khaki”. The story of his being rejected on the grounds of ill-health for the French army at the outbreak of the War but managing through his enterprise to win the hearts of the Royal Scots Greys and becoming their interpreter, shows what can be done to get round all ordinary laws and regulations. But Mr. Maze ran great risks, and becoming separated during the retreat from Mons from the regiment which had adopted him, found himself arrested as a suspected spy. He was actually being led out to summary execution by the firing party, when by pure chance the Royal Scots Greys passed through the village and one of their officers recognised him as their vanished interpreter.

Attached later on the General Gough’s Vth Army and General Rawlinson’s Fourth Army, his keen eye and nimble pencil were of unceasing usefulness. He had freedom to visit all the most dangerous places at all the most dangerous times, and could present sketches of the actual scene in its military significance which gained him a secure position among his English military friends. In the words of General Sir William Robertson, he became “an institution”. Year after year, battle after battle, wherever the volcano erupted most fiercely, amid the smoke and poison fumes and frightful detonations, thither our artist made his way, and thence his “seeing eye” and recording notebook brought back calm, trustworthy, lucid and increasingly experienced information. As the British private said, looking over his shoulder as he sketched in a heavily bombarded trench, “Your pictures are done in shorthand”. In pursuance of this delicate and self-created task, Mr. Maze received four wounds and was successively awarded most of the decorations which the soldiers prize because they come only from the fire.

In later years his great knowledge of painting and draughtsmanship have enabled him to perfect his remarkable gift. With the fewest of strokes, he can create an impression at once true and beautiful. Here is no toiling seeker after pre-conceived effects, but a vivid and powerful interpreter to us of the forces and harmony of Nature.

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Auction Details

Wednesday 21 October, 11.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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Viewing at Dreweatts London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
Monday 12 October: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 13 October: 10am-7pm
Wednesday 14 October: 10am-4pm

Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury: Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
Saturday 17 October: 10am-3pm
Sunday 18 October: 10am-3pm
Monday 19 October: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 20 October: 10am-4pm

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