Frederick Henry Townsend - 1914 Pen Drawing, "I'd Give the German Emporor One.."

Description

An original pen and ink drawing by Frederick Henry Townsend (1868-1920) for Punch Magazine. Here the artist has captured the mood at a very specific time in Britain, at the outset of The First World War. This drawing can be considered an interesting piece of 20th century history. Townsend has depicted a young woman talking to a small crowd of children of the steps of a London building, the inscription reads "I'd Give the German Emperor One - I would straight. I'd pull every feaver aht of 'is 'elmet". She wears a boater hat with the word 'formidable' on the label. Wonderfully presented in a white card mount. Signed and dated. On wove.

Condition

Overall the condition is very good for a picture of this age. With some very minor discolouration.

Size

22.7 x 15.1cm (8.9" x 5.9")
Sheet: 37.3 x 29.8cm (14.7" x 11.7")

Artist Biography

Frederick Henry Townsend was an illustrator and printmaker, born in London who studied at Lambeth School of Art 1885-89. As a student he began contributing to journals including the Illustrated London News and during his career, his work was reproduced in many periodicals including The Graphic, Pall Mall Magazine, The Sketch, Sphere, and Tatler. His first cartoon appeared in Punch in 1896 and by 1905 he had become the magazine's first Art Editor. His brother-in-law Frank Reynolds also an illustrator succeeded him in this post. In 1913, he turned to etching and within two years was elected an Associate of the RE. During World War I he was responsible for designing propaganda poster one of ‘War Rages in France’ was used by the US government to raise money for food supplies. He also exhibited at the FAS, NEAC, RA and Leicester Galleries. He illustrated the work of several famous authors including Dickens, Kipling and Charlotte Brontë Examples of his work are in the collections of the BM and V&A.