Up for auction here we have a very politically incorrect illustration by Arthur Rackham.

It is: “The Blackamoor”, sometimes also referred to as “Washing the Ethiopian white”. The Blackamoor illustration by Arthur Rackham was first published in an edition of Aesops Fables by Heinemann in 1912. I have read that it only ever appeared in Greek editions of the book.

I have no idea what age this picture is, it is framed behind glass in a wooden frame which measure 9 ¾ inches square. The picture appears in a mount that has been taped at the back in usual fashion.

I took it apart to clean it and I have photographed each part before I put it back together again, I was hoping to get an idea of age but I didn’t.

It is obviously of some great age, how old I don’t know, is it a page from a Greek edition of Aesop’s Fables from around 1912, or later, or is it an early original picture or a much later picture, I don’t know I’ll let you decide that.

There are adverts for hand coloured prints of this picture, Amazon have them from 2021 (and this looks WELL older than that) but they are currently unavailable. There is one on the ‘1^st Art Gallery’ website, described as: “Get a hand-painted museum-quality Reproduction of "The Blackamoor, illustration from Aesops Fables, published by Heinemann, 1912" by Arthur Rackham.” It is in a half price sale at the moment, reduced from £525.90 to a mere £262.95.

At the very least this is a disturbing, rare and interesting piece of art for a wall of your home that is sure to be a topic of conversation.

I have lots of great stuff listed at the moment, including many more unusual framed items, so please check out my other auctions as I will always combine postage costs for multiple auction wins so you save some of your hard earned dosh.

Collection in person is always a no cost option on all of my listings.