The Eagle and the Butterfly by Russel Smith

Giclee prints on paper...$175.00
Edition size of 250
Image size: 26" x 15.5"
S/N by Artist 

Giclee prints on canvas...$350.00
Edition size of 20
Canvas size: 28" x 14"
S/N by Artist 

Special Blue Max Edition giclee prints on canvas...$553.00
Edition size of 20
Image size: 45" x 22.5"
S/N by Artist

The Eagle and the Butterfly depicts the wounding of Manfred von Richthofen on July 6, 1917. During an attack on a flight of FE2d's from 20Sq RFC, Richthofen singled out 1 machine - A6512 flown by Capt. Douglas Cunnell and Lt. Albert Woodbridge - and began to press his attack. Cunnell spotted Richthofen and turned the lumbering F.E.2 to face Richthofen head-on, tactically taking away Richthofens advantage. Rather than break off, however, Richthofen chose to maintain his calm and press the attack. At an estimated distance of 300 yards Woodbridge opened fire on Richthofen. According to his account of the battle, Woodbridge could see his bullets striking the barrels of Richthofens Spandaus. Somewhere within the 3-4 second span of his attack Richthofen was struck in the back of the head. Although his his skull was not penetrated, a single bullet had grazed his head from the rear (suggesting that the hit may have actually come from the friendly fire of one of his own men following him), blinding him and nearly knocking him unconscious. Cunnell and Woodbridge watched in amazement as Richthofens machine passed directly under them, turn over and fall out of control. 
Richthofen survived this encounter, falling several thousand meters before regaining his senses and setting his Albatros down hard in in a pasture full of thistles. Badly wounded, however, Richthofen would not fly again until August 16.