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Lot Essay
Alfred Gilbert's aluminium statue of Eros was erected in 1893 by public subscription in memory of the philanthropic 7th Earl of Shaftesbury: it was intended to represent the Angel of Christian Charity, not Eros the God of Love. In 1937 it was boarded up on New Year's Eve and between 1939 and 1947 it was removed for safe-keeping to Egham. Shepard's drawing, for a Punch cartoon of 25th June, 1947, p. 551, celebrates its return, complete with the Cockney flower sellers who traditionally sat round its base.
Shepard was born in St. John's Wood, London. He was educated at St. Paul's School and then studied art at Heatherley's and subsequently at the Royal Academy Schools. He worked for Punch from 1907 and also produced striking drawings connected with the Second World War. However Shepard is best known for his illustrations to A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh series, first published in 1926.
Shepard was born in St. John's Wood, London. He was educated at St. Paul's School and then studied art at Heatherley's and subsequently at the Royal Academy Schools. He worked for Punch from 1907 and also produced striking drawings connected with the Second World War. However Shepard is best known for his illustrations to A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh series, first published in 1926.