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Malcolm Osborne

1880 - 1963

Sir Francis Joseph, K.B.E, President F.B.I. by Malcolm Osborne
 

Sir Francis Joseph, K.B.E, President F.B.I.   1949

  Original drypoint.
Signed and inscribed in pencil.
Ref: Post Salaman.
S 480 x 359 mm; P & I 340 x 266 mm
SOLD
 
Unique impression, inscribed by the artist "touched proof" and dedicated in pencil "to Malcolm Fry with best wishes from Malcolm Osborne”.

Exceptionally rich impression of the freshly worked plate, the drypoint burr printing at its finest.

This superbly modelled portrait is an outstanding example of the style of intuitive depiction which Osborne could achieve through the drypoint medium. Drypoint was the artist's favourite medium as it allowed him to work freely on the copper with his subject before him. This practise requires remarkable dexterity with the drypoint needle; however, the direct freedom of this technique was perfectly suited to Osborne's approach, allowing him to capture the character of his subject with absolute immediacy.

Sir Francis L'Estrange Joseph (1870-1951) was a powerful industrialist, especially in relation to the mining industries, who sat on numerous government boards and was an influential director of a vast range of commercial corporations between the 1930's and the late 1940's.

On pale cream wove paper with full margins and deckle edge. Excellent original condition.