SCARCE BERNARD RAMBERT (FRANCE, 1908-1958) EARLY 20TH CENTURY FRENCH VINTAGE SIGNED CHARCOAL, BLACK & WHITE INK & INK WASH FIGURATIVE CARICATURE DRAWING, ARTIST SIGNED 'GRAMBERT' 

in CURSIVE SCRIPT in the LOWER LEFT of the PICTORIAL FIELD, in ORIGINAL PERIOD WOODEN FRAME

[Inscribed in blue wax crayon, using hand-written, high case letters, 'STAF']

(Circa 1932-1947)

Early 20th century French vintage mixed media, charcoal & ink caricature drawings of notable politicians & public figures

DIMENSIONS: 

Frame: 13" Height x 9" Width

Drawing under matting:

 9 ¾" Height x 6" Width

Weight: 1 lb. 4 oz.

INSCRIPTION:

'STAF' is written in high case blue crayon in lower left corner of the drawing, apparently by someone other than the artist and after the completion of the work.

 DESCRIPTION:

Signed (Bernard) Grambert (France, 1908-1958) in black pen on the lower right. There's a blue crayon, hand written inscription in high case letters on the lower left corner, 'STAF.' There's a slight stain on the lower left corner of the drawing. This isn't a print but an original mixed media, dry and wet material, hand-to-surface work done by the French illustrator and cartoonist Bernard Grambert (France, 1908-1958) found without its original glass. It was still in its original period wooden frame when it and seven other similar original caricature drawings by Bernard Grambert, were discovered and subsequently removed from the home they were found in. This particular drawing reminds of the work by the famous German Expressionist painter George Grosz. Grambert must have seen or at some point, have been exposed to the anti-fascist, social critique, figurative works of the great German painter, draughtsman and printmaker. But the Frenchman Bernard Grambert seemed to have developed his own particular figurative language, utilizing black and white ink, crow quill pen, as well as brushes, while also using the textured mark-making of dry charcoal sticks and pencils. This exhilarating work is Expressionist in its conceptual attitude, being realized in the 1930's to 1940's. Wonderfully realized and extremely expressive. This French artist was clearly 'locked and loaded.' Nearly 75 to 85 years old and it still packs quite a poignant delivery and punch. Terrific.

CONDITION: 

Good to Very Good overall vintage condition.