Dulac, Edmund

332 by 243mm, fine ink and watercolour drawing, signed and dated lower right, mounted framed and glazed, some very minor spotting

Leicester Galleries, November - December 1908, number 8 (sold to E.M. Hutchinson); J. Leger & Son, December 1947

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Reproduced, as the thirty-fourth of forty colour plates, within Dulac's edition of The Tempest (Hodder and Stoughton, 1908). The lyric is, of course, Ariel's song from Act V scene 1 and a particular favourite for musical settings of Shakespeare. The colour printing process in 1908 failed to render a faithful reproduction of the original and the dirty brown colour of the leaves is here revealed to be varied shades of green.

Original labels from The Leicester Galleries exhibition are preserved on the frame backing (the watercolour itself has a new mount). The copy of the exhibition catalogue held in the National Art Library includes three comments in an unknown hand. Next to the description for the present watercolour is written "exquisitively decorative". The reverse of the board also preserves a gallery label from J. Leger & Son of 13 Old Bond Street.