Charles Keene(1823-1891): Three studies of a Man

Admired by Degas, Whistler and Menzel, Keene was a master draughtsman with few rivals. He devoted thirty years to 'Punch' Magazine as an illustrator. Sickert wrote- '...if we allow ourselves to ask who the greatest English artist of the nineteenth century it would be difficult even to find a candidate to set against Charles Keene, a draughtsman on a then, threepenny paper.'

This pencil drawing is one of his gems. It could be a self-portrait.

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