The country once known as #Ceylon is now since 1972 known as Sri Lanka.  At the time that these four paintings were done the WWII was possibly just over.

Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon
by M G Prater 1945

I would love to tell you about these paintings and whom they are by but I have not found the artist in my search.  There is no sign of the war in any of the four paintings presented in this chapter just a sublime beauty of a nature.  On the rear of this first painting, written in pencil, is an inscription which I can only read. But part of it reads ‘Maha Kudugala, Ragala Rock with (Guattell?) and Madulsima Range’.

Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon
by M G Prater 1945

We move to a closer view of #MahaKudugala and #Ragala Rock.  I love the simpleness of these paintings.  Detail is not necessary to portray beauty.  Broad strokes and variation of colour are enough to imbue life and joy into them.  War and its’ ravages here are hidden behind natures beauty.

From the mountains to the coast and a small village of #Karaitivu.

Karaitivu, Ceylon
by M G Prater 1945

What a country this is!  From mountains to beautiful beaches.  Dugouts line the beach ready for fishing.  A tranquil scene of sun, sand and palm trees.  Once again done in broad strokes and washes of colour.

And from this beach if one looked out over the water one would see our next image.

Kayts Island from Karaitivu, Ceylon
by M G Prater 1945

Kayts Island, small and idyllic.  A series of paintings from an artist who has found love and joy in a land even when war has savaged the world.  Even to this place war came.