The Triumph of Realism
British, 1879
Pen, brown ink and pencil on card
254 x 358 mm
Du Maurier was a Franco-English illustrator, author and cartoonist. This drawing was made for the satirical magazine Punch (1841-2002).
The magazine is responsible for coining the word ‘cartoon’ in its modern sense, as a humorous illustration, rather than just signifying a preliminary sketch. Du Maurier joined the magazine in 1865 and soon created his own set of characters, usually making fun of Victorian society. In this drawing, Blenkinsop gazes contentedly at a bust of himself made by a fashionable sculptor. To his companion he says: “It’s not so much as a work of art that I value it, Brown! but the likeness is so wonderful you know!”.
Purchased 1952 (No. 52.3)
