Featured Pen and pencil portrait

This portrait seems to be dated 27 which ties in with the style of the sitter’s headgear.

I can’t provide a photo of the back unfortunately but any thoughts on the signature? It is in a mixed lot of prints. All are nice quality.

 

I was looking for the "penny" but now I realize that auto-correct has struck!

 

Yep. Spotted it straight away but don’t seem to be able to fix it.

 

Thanks . Yes that's right. Will know in future.

 

Very confident fast lines

 

That’s why I like it.

 

This is waaaay out there but what the hay. I read the signature as "Kaff" which took me to the artist Kaff Gerrard. That's not her formal signature which uses her married name but could be an early informal signature. (She left the Slade in 1924 and didn't marry until 1933.) What's most striking about the work is the disregard the sitter has for the artist. That's unusual but perhaps it's a "warts and all" self-portrait. The Royal Museum & Art Gallery in Canterbury had an exhibition of her work in 1991. There's a catalog floating about.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaff_Gerrard

If you find the above ridiculous, I know you'll be kind.

Debora

 

She does have a look of utter contempt doesn't she

 

The artist Kaffe Gerrard. There is a resemblance.

Debora

 

Could be contemptuous if shared but feels more personal to me than that. A combination of self-examination and self-criticism. Perhaps some disappointment or failure to rise to a personal standard. Or perhaps she's just angry! She's wearing outdoor wear and only concerned about the volume of her toque hat and the collar and sleeve of her cocoon coat.

Debora

 

Looking closer, even a deep sadness masquerading as contempt

 

It's very compelling. The sitter's emotion carries through to the artist's hand which is what leads me to believe it's a self-portrait. (Speaking of hand... the artist could have spent a moment or two more on the fingers.)

Debora

 

Chuckle, I did think the same but it doesn't bother me

 

I really like the self portrait angle

It's like a mirror reflection of who am I