George Louis Busson Palmella du Maurier, R.W.S. (1831-1896)

Removal of Ancient Landmarks

Details

George Louis Busson Palmella du Maurier, R.W.S. (1831-1896)
Removal of Ancient Landmarks
signed ‘du Maurier’ (lower left) and inscribed in the lower margin,
'Lady Gwendoline: "Papa says I'm to be a great artist, & exhibit at the Royal Academy."
Lady Yseulte: "And Papa says I'm to be a great Pianist & play at the Monday Pops.."
Lady Edelgitha: "And I'm going to be a famous Actress & act Ophelia and cut out Miss Ellen Terry! Papa says I may - that is, of course, if I can, you know!"
The new governess: "Good Heavens, young ladies! Is it possible his grace can allow you even to think of such things!! Why, my Papa was only a poor half-pay officer, but he would never have permitted me, during his lifetime, to paint for hire or play in Public! And as for acting Ophelia - Good Heavens! You take my breath away."'

pencil, pen and brown ink on paper
4¾ x 7½ in. (12.1 x 19 cm.)

Provenance

with Julian Hartnoll, London.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby’s, Belgravia, 13 May 1980, lot 71, where purchased by the present owner.

Literature

C. Campbell Orr (ed.), Women in the Victorian Art World, Manchester, 1995, p. 45. (the related print).

Engraved

Punch, 25 June 1881.

Brought to you by

Clare Keiller

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Lot Essay

Du Maurier held the post of social cartoonist at Punch from 1864 until his death, contributing over 3000 cartoons. He was particularly interested in satirising the idiosyncrasies of social behaviour and expectations. The title Removal of Ancient Landmarks refers to a line from Proverbs 22:28, 'Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set', and combined with the caption, demonstrates du Maurier's distaste at the idea of women working in the arts. His granddaughter was the celebrated author Dame Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989).

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