LOT #35129 |
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Samuel Clemens "Mark Twain" Original Ink Portrait Captioned "Eve". ...
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Sold on Oct 16, 2009 for:
$2,868.00
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Description
Samuel Clemens "Mark Twain" Original Ink Portrait Captioned "Eve". Ink on paper, 5.75" x 8", mounted on card stock with editorial instructions in an unknown hand. This portrait was originally included as an illustration in an article titled "Instructions in Art (with Illustrations by the Author)," published in the Metropolitan Magazine, April and May 1903. The drawing is captioned "Eve," but Mark Twain has written other captions, all of which have been scored through: "Sitting Bull," "Pocahontas," "Portrait of a Lady," and "This one to be printed in colors." The crossed-out captions are reproduced as part of the illustration in the article.Mark Twain's commentary reads: "We will conclude with a portrait of a lady in the style of Raphael. Originally I started it out for Queen Elizabeth, but was not able to do the lace hopper her head projects out of, therefore I tried to turn it into Pocahontas, but was again baffled, and was compelled to make further modifications, this time achieving success. By spiritualizing it and turning it into the noble mother of our race and throwing into the countenance the sacred joy which her first tailor-made outfit infuses into her spirit, I was enabled to add to my gallery the best and the most winning and eloquent portrait my brush has ever produced."
Mark Twain drew the mother of our race as a Native American Indian, and then deemed it the best and the most winning portrait he ever produced. Although Twain had portrayed Indians in a poor light at the start of his career, his ideas and opinions evolved over time (as they did about everything). This drawing poses evidence that his views about Indians had dramatically changed to a more favorable one in his later years. With light soiling. Ex. Karanovich Collection
Auction Info
2009 October Grand Format Historical Manuscripts Auction #6031 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
October, 2009
16th-17th
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,218
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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