William Ralston (1848-1911) - Graphite Drawing The Portly Gentleman

Description

A humorous illustration of a large gentleman being assisted by two waiters. Most likely a design for Punch magazine, Ralston contributed some 227 illustrations during his lifetime. Signed with monogram. On card.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration and foxing. Areas of surface dirt. Pin holes to each corner.

Size

13.9 x 12.3cm (5.5" x 4.8")
Sheet: 22.7 x 15cm (8.9" x 5.9")

Artist Biography

Cartoonist, illustrator and photographer. Ralston was born in Milton, Dumbartonshire, the son of a pattern designer who became a photographer. After school he worked for four years in a Glasgow warehouse and spent three years digging for gold in Australia. Returning to Scotland, he started to draw, learning from his brother, a talented artist who died young. In 1870 his work first appeared in Punch and up to 1880 he contributed 227 cartoons and comic drawings to the magazine. His best work, printed in colour for Christmas and Summer numbers, was published in The Graphic during the 1880's and 1890's and often consisted of humorous stories or verses illustrated in many small scenes. In 1890 he was recruited as one of the original artists of the Daily Graphic. Around that time, on the death of his father, he returned from London to Glasgow to run the family photography business and thereafter his work was seen in periodicals much less frequently. He illustrated a number of books and was especially known for portraying the comic misadventures of big game hunting.