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Lot description
Augustus Edwin John (1878-1961) Head study of Ronald Firbank (1886-1926) Pencil, signed in the upper right corner, sheet 175 x 125 mm (6 7/8 x 4 7/8 in), under glass, minor surface dirt and light stains, some handling creases visible, framed, [circa 1915] Provenance: Miriam Benkowitz (author of the biography and bibliography of Firbank) ⁂ Miriam Benkovitz wrote in her biography of Firbank that he was 'very much concerned with his appearance', and had hoped to capture his youth through the portraits produced by his friends and associates. [Miriam Benkovitz, Ronald Firbank. A Biography. New York: Alfred A, Knopf, 1969, pp. 112-113] 'It is a curious fact that the numerous extant portraits of Firbank bear almost no resemblance to each other, seeming indeed, to depict a series of entirely disparate persons. During his life he was drawn or painted by Charles Shannon, Augustus John, Wyndham Lewis, Alvara Guevara and probably (for he was fond of sitting for his portrait) by other artists as well; yet it remains extraordinarily difficult to form an exact mental picture of his features.' [Jocelyn Brooke, Ronald Firbank. London, Arthur Barker Ltd., 1951, p. 34.] This lot is sold subject to Artists Resale Rights, details of which can be found in our Terms and Conditions.