Claude A Shepperson, an original colour fashion illustration, c1919

Titled "Ribbons and Laces", a wonderful example from the golden age of fashion illustration

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

This is an original pen and ink with colour wash illustration by Claude A Shepperson, titled 'Ribbons and Laces". The sketch is mounted on card. The mount measures 63 × 50cms, and the image is 52 × 37cm. It is signed by Shepperson lower right, and with his hand drawn title below the image. It was probably meant for one of the many magazines he drew for, and considering the style and quality of the artwork, it is likely to be Vogue or Tatler and has been marked up with the reproduction size in pencil lower right to the mount. The date of the fashions is circa 1919.

The drawing shows two changing rooms, each with a large cheval mirror and a maid to the far edge, and each with a Bright Young Thing trying on a different dress. To the left, the lady is trying on a dress made of ribbons of different colours, to the right the lady is trying on a lace dress—hence the title.

Claude Allin Shepperson, ARA, ARWS, ARE, RI (1867–1921) was an influential English painter, printmaker, and illustrator celebrated for his fluid pen work, atmospheric compositions, and elegant draftsmanship. After abandoning legal studies in 1891 to train at Heatherley’s in London and in Paris, he became a prolific contributor to major periodicals—most notably Punch, where his graceful social satire popularized the iconic "Shepperson girl." Beyond his work for magazines like The Strand and The Tatler, Shepperson illustrated classic literary works, including Longmans’ 1902 Swan Edition of Shakespeare, H.G. Wells's The First Men in the Moon, and novelizations by Charles Dickens. Elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1919, his original watercolours, etchings, and drawings are held today in major public collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, and Tate.

Condition

The drawing is in good condition for the most part but poor storage has stained the extreme left hand side of the illustration and the mount. It is a bit unsightly but would be mostly covered by remounting. There is tape marks around the image from the magazine's production office. The mount is fairly heavily marked to the rear. However, as mentioned, once remounted and framed, this would be a remarkable original piece of artwork from the Golden Age of fashion design and illustration.

Select Shipping…United Kingdom +£5.75Europe +£16.50USA +£25.00Australia / New Zealand +£25.00Rest of the World +£25.00 

By clicking the Buy Now button you'll transfer the product information and shipping price in encrypted form over a secure connection to PayPal's server where you'll complete the transaction.