The Signalman thumbnail 1
The Signalman thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level E , Case I, Shelf 128, Box B

The Signalman

Drawing
ca. 1945 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Although he trained as an actor, Rolf Brandt enjoyed drawing and making collages. In his native Germany he developed an interest in Dada and Surrealism and in Bauhaus artists such as Paul Klee. He moved to London from Hamburg in the early 1930s with his brother Bill (1904–83), who became famous as a photographer. His drawings for illustration were first published in the 1940s and he became known for his haunting, Surrealistic style and delicate line.

This drawing for a short story by Charles Dickens was one of a number made for an anthology of weird, romantic, if sometimes horrific stories published under the title Come Not Lucifer in 1945. The peculiar qualities of this image are highly individual while at the same time reflecting the horrors that had been part of many people’s lives during the Second World War.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Signalman (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Graphite on white paper
Brief description
Drawing by Rolf Brandt, illustration to 'The Signalman' by Charles Dickens for the anthology 'Come Not Lucifer', United Kingdom, ca. 1945
Physical description
The entrance to a deep tunnel, with rail tracks receding into darkness. A bearded man (lower left of picture) facing three-quarters inward into picture plane, gazing up at a headless, ghost-like figure floating out of the tunnel toward him. The ghost figure has a multi-layered left arm and his right clutches a parcel. Old paste marks in all coners on back of drawing and surface of support card. The paper is thin and may be Japanese, slightly discoloured through age and pasted to a support sheet on the upper margin.
Dimensions
  • Irregular, maximum height: 37.9cm
  • Irregular, maximum width: 26cm
  • Support sheet height: 37.9cm
  • Support sheet width: 28.6cm
Style
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Dickens The Signalman' (Inscribed in pencil on lower left)
  • '...and ran towards the figure calling "what's wrong? what has happened? Where/"' (Centre to right lower margin)
  • Artist's monogram RB (Centre to right lower margin)
  • '.175' (Inscribed on the left margin)
  • 'Sim [followed by a square box] in 133 and [not clearly decipherable] publomondial.' (Inscribed on the right upper margin)
  • '"Come Not Lucifer" 6. 8 6. 15 Brandt 8 219/10 A1. Susan' (Inscribed variously in pencil on the back of the support sheet)
Credit line
Given by the artist's daughter, Susan Brandt
Object history
The group of drawings E.547-549-2005 came directly from the artist's family. "The Signalman", a short story by Charles Dickens was included in the Romantic anthology of 'weird' tales 'Come Not Lucifer' edited anonymously but possibly by the publisher, John Westhouse, published in 1945 with illustrations by R.A.Brandt.
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceDickens, Charles "The Signalman" in the Romantic anthology 'Come Not Lucifer' edited anonymously but possibly by the publisher, John Westhouse. With illustrations by R.A.Brandt. Published 1945
Summary
Although he trained as an actor, Rolf Brandt enjoyed drawing and making collages. In his native Germany he developed an interest in Dada and Surrealism and in Bauhaus artists such as Paul Klee. He moved to London from Hamburg in the early 1930s with his brother Bill (1904–83), who became famous as a photographer. His drawings for illustration were first published in the 1940s and he became known for his haunting, Surrealistic style and delicate line.

This drawing for a short story by Charles Dickens was one of a number made for an anthology of weird, romantic, if sometimes horrific stories published under the title Come Not Lucifer in 1945. The peculiar qualities of this image are highly individual while at the same time reflecting the horrors that had been part of many people’s lives during the Second World War.
Associated object
Collection
Accession number
E.548-2005

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Record createdDecember 17, 2005
Record URL
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