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'The Height of Aesthetic Exclusiveness

Drawing
1879 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Pen and ink illustration of a mother walking with twin girls and a younger boy dressed in a sailor suit. A second group of girls carrying sunflowers and wearing large bonnets and long floral dresses walk past in the background. One of them leers round to stick out her tongue in the direction of the passing family. The caption reads:
Mamma: "who are those extraordinary looking children?"
Effie: "they are the Cimabue Browns Mamma - they're aesthetic, you know!"
Mamma: "So I should imagine. Do you know them to speak to?"
Effie: "Oh Dear No, Mamma- they're most exclusive. Why, they put out their tongues at us if we only look at them!"


Object details

Categories
Object type
Title'The Height of Aesthetic Exclusiveness (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Pen and ink
Brief description
George Du Maurier, 'The Height of Aesthetic Exclusiveness'. Humorous drawing for illustration on page 108 volume 77 of Punch, 1 Nov 1879. Signed du Maurier. Inscribed in artist's hand: 'To Edmund Gosse 1883' and with title and caption. Pen and ink 6 1/4 x 9 5/8 inches. Bequeathed by H H Harrod.
Physical description
Pen and ink illustration of a mother walking with twin girls and a younger boy dressed in a sailor suit. A second group of girls carrying sunflowers and wearing large bonnets and long floral dresses walk past in the background. One of them leers round to stick out her tongue in the direction of the passing family. The caption reads:
Mamma: "who are those extraordinary looking children?"
Effie: "they are the Cimabue Browns Mamma - they're aesthetic, you know!"
Mamma: "So I should imagine. Do you know them to speak to?"
Effie: "Oh Dear No, Mamma- they're most exclusive. Why, they put out their tongues at us if we only look at them!"
DimensionsDimensions from catalogue: 3 1/4 x 9 58 inches.
Styles
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • Signed du Maurier
  • Inscribed in the artist’s hand: To Edmund Gosse 1883
  • Inscribed with title and caption
Credit line
Bequeathed by H H Harrod
Collection
Accession number
E.396-1948

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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