Max Beerbohm

Max Beerbohm, 19th Century British caricature of Mr Harry Nichols

1893

Ernest Howard Shephard (British, 1879 – 1976) The land of the lost toys – ‘Oh that’s you is it’ Inscribed with title (lower edge), and further inscribed ...

Gerard Morot-Sir (French, 1931 – 2003) Graphica Ink on paper Signed and dated ‘ Morot-Sir, 59’ (lower left) 12.1/2 x 9.5/8in. (31.7 x 24.5cm.) Newly framed in a limed wood frame in a...

Marcus Behmer (German, 1879 – 1958) Die Geravbte orchidee (The robbed orchid), 1903 Signed ‘Marcus Behmer’ (lower right in pencil) Lithograph on paper 16.1/8 x 12in. (40.8 x 30.5cm.) It is apparent Behmer is influenced by the work of Aubrey Beardsley, though this work is no less beautiful in its execution. Little is known regarding his connections to Oscar Wilde though he is obviously an admirer and has many similarities with his private life and incarceration in prison. These works were a personal gift to Baron Detlev von Hadeln, the aristocrat and prominent art historian of the age. Behmer is known to be, since 1903, a member in the first ever homosexual organization in Berlin and was thus probably a part of Adolf Brand’s circle, and may have contributed to Brand’s publication Der Eigene. Until now, few know that Behmer was sentenced in April 1937 by a court in Konstanz to imprisonment for two years, being arrested in Freiburg and at other locations in southern Germany for being a homosexual. At times he was given the opportunity to work as an artist in prison. The works produced in this period are mostly calligraphic designed tablets with Greek text (prayers and Bible quotes...

Edmond Xavier Kapp (British, 1890 – 1978) Isaac Stern at work Inkpen Signed, inscribed and dated ‘Isaac Stern at work Kapp 51’ (lower right) 17.1/8 x 13.7/8 in. (43.3 x 35.3 cm.) Edmond Kapp was born in Islington, London, on 5 November 1890, of American and German Jewish parentage. He gave himself the middle initial ‘X’ – sometimes said to stand for Xavier – to distinguish himself from his father Emil Kapp, who was a wine merchant. However, his parents called him ‘Eddie’ while his wife and friends knew him as ‘Peter’. During his early years, Kapp was continually ill and, while convalescing, entertained himself by drawing at home. As his health improved, he attended Dame Alice Owen’s School, Islington (1903-10), with periods at Berlin University (1909) and L’Institut Français pour les Etrangers, Paris (1909). He then read Languages at Christ’s College, Cambridge (1910-13), though spent most of his time writing and drawing. Kapp took a studio in London, and worked intensively until the outbreak of the First World War, contributing to the Daily News, the Onlooker and other periodicals. During the war, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Sussex Regiment on the Western Front, and then in Intelligence, rising to the position of Staff Captain on Haig’s Staff. Finally, he founded and directed the Neutral Press Counter-propaganda Section. In 1919, Kapp returned to London and, after abortive periods at three art schools, worked alone. In that year, he made his name with an exhibition of caricatures, held at Furst’s Gallery, London, and accompanied by a catalogue introduced by Max Beerbohm. This soon led to contracts with three London periodicals and a book of caricatures, Personalities, published by Martin Secker. Through the 1920s and 30s, his drawings of musicians and other personalities appeared in a wide variety of periodicals, most notably Time & Tide; were collected in further volumes; and were exhibited at the Leicester Galleries. He considered himself to be a ‘character-portraitist’, producing images of psychological not satirical power, and disliking the term ‘caricature’. Between the wars, Kapp developed other aspects of his artistic talents, the desire to study and the search for subject matter often taking him abroad. For instance, work at the British Academy, Rome, under Antonio Sciortino...

Le Prince Alexandre Bibesco is an Original ink and watercolor drawing realized by an artist of French School of the early 20th century. Good condition on a...

Caricature is an original drawing in pencil and pastels realized by an anonymous artist of the early 20th Century Good condition. The artwork is depicted through perfect hatching i...

A 1920s caricature of Irish politician George Russell by artist Isa M. Macnie. Inscription on drawing reads: "For Richard Madden, George Russell "AE". Image size: 8 7/8" x 6 7/8"...

A 1920s caricature of author Sean O'Casey, by artist Isa M. Macnie. Inscription on drawing reads: "Author of 'Juno and the Paycock' etc," Image size: 8 7/8" x 6 7/8". Archivally...