1814 Rowlandson Satirical Print Original George Grosz Ink Sketch on Back Prov

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From the private archive of the Estate of Lilian Grosz (1930–2025), daughter-in-law of the legendary German Expressionist artist George Grosz … Read more From the private archive of the Estate of Lilian Grosz (1930–2025), daughter-in-law of the legendary German Expressionist artist George Grosz (1893–1959). This piece was originally part of George Grosz’s personal reference collection and study archive, preserved for decades by his son, Peter M. Grosz (the artist's archivist), and subsequently by his wife, Lilian Grosz, in Princeton, New Jersey. As a co-manager of the George Grosz Estate, Lilian meticulously curated and protected the family’s historic holdings. We possess full documented provenance for the purchase of these caricatures from the George Grosz estate, including the official sales receipt, address, exact dates of the estate sale, photographic evidence from the location, and books from his personal library bearing his collection stamps.

HISTORICAL NOTE:

George Grosz was a 20th-century master of social and political satire. Owning a rare, historical caricature from his personal study collection offers exceptional historical context and an elite, museum-level pedigree.

An extraordinary, unique museum-quality collector's lot combining 19th-century English satire and 20th-century German Expressionism from a historic private archive.

1 The Front: An authentic, hand-colored satirical etching from 1814 by the legendary British caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson, titled "A MEDICAL INSPECTION; OR, MIRACLES WILL NEVER CEASE." This sharp Regency-era caricature lampoons the Joanna Southcott religious controversy. Clearly signed in the plate "Rowlandson" and inscribed: "Pubd Sept 8 1814 by Thos Tegg No 111 Cheapside. No 340." Features vibrant contemporary hand-coloring. Print size is approx. 10x14 inches, mounted in a 12x16 inch cardboard folder.

BM 1935,0522.11.58

2 The Back & Interior: This print comes housed in an antique cardboard folder-matte from the personal studio archive of the legendary modern artist George Grosz (1893–1959). The reverse side of the folder features an original satirical profile sketch drawn in ink by George Grosz himself. Additionally, the interior backing directly beneath the print contains another historic ink sketch of children's legs with a 1930 German pencil inscription referencing cultural historian Eduard Fuchs ("von Eduard Fuchs - Kiwi-Bücher gemarkt 1930"). The lower margin of the print also contains historic, faint pencil annotations identifying the subject and confirming the artist.

Good antique pre-owned condition. The 1814 print exhibits natural age-related toning, light foxing, and minor handling marks consistent with its 200+ year history. The cardboard folder shows vintage wear, old mounting tape remnants on the reverse corners, and studio aging. The original ink drawings by George Grosz and the historical inscriptions remain crisp, clear, and unrestored. Sold exactly as found.

Attention Collectors:

This print is part of a remarkable collection of 75 authentic 18th and 19th-century satirical engravings acquired from a prominent estate sale. See less