The Angler's Metamorphose

Details

Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898)
The Angler's Metamorphose
inscribed 'The/Anglers/Metemorphose/{a dream after/a/Day's Sport}' (centre left) and with inscription 'Aubrey V. Beardsley' (lower right)
pen and black ink
5 5/8 x 7¾in. (14.3 x 19.7cm.)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

Please note this work is unframed.

Lot Essay

The present work is an early drawing by Beardsley, executed circa 1888-9 when he was just sixteen. The pen work is comparable to The Pay of the Pied Piper (see B.Reade, Beardsley, London, 1967, p.311, no. 10, pl. 10). The lettering resembles the play bills, which he drew for the beardsley family theatricals, see The Jolly Mashers (op. cit., p.312, no. 15, pl. 15). The inscription on the sheet contains Beardsley middle initial V; a form which he only used in these early years and which he soon dropped.

We are grateful to Stephen Calloway for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.

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