"A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"

Charles Samuel Keene

1870–1891 · Pen and brown ink, brush and wash, touches of white gouache (bodycolor) · Drawings and Prints

Keene's image focuses on an interaction between two smocked farmers and a man carring a basket outside a village church was reproduced as a wood-engraving in Punch. Accompanying text sheds light on its subject: Rustic (who has just been informed of the meaning of the "B.D." affixed to the Parson's name on the notice): 'Bachelor o' Divinity! Then that there man aint a right man to praich, by my ways o'thinking!' Informant: 'Why not?' Rustic: 'Cause he calls hisself a Bachelor! An' I know he's a married man.' Keene was a leading British illustrator who worked for Punch between 1864 and 1890. His imagery generally focused on humorous situations in humble surroundings, unlike his contemporary George Du Maurier who satirized London society.

Artist

Charles Samuel Keene

Date

1870–1891

Medium

Pen and brown ink, brush and wash, touches of white gouache (bodycolor)

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1924