Queen Prima Donna at Home, for "Punch," November 7, 1874

George Du Maurier

1874 · Pen and carbon black ink over graphite on card · Drawings and Prints

Born in Paris to a French father and English mother, Du Maurier became one of Victorian Britain's most successful cartoonists and illustrators. After the death of John Leech in 1864, he was hired as staff artist for "Punch" and drew this illustration for a wood engraving in 1874. In his youth Du Maurier had trained as a singer and so was personally familiar with the impositions that constant practice and performance imposed on famly members. Here, the three young daughters of a musical mother fail to appreciate her genius.

Artist

George Du Maurier

Date

1874

Medium

Pen and carbon black ink over graphite on card

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Bequest of James David Draper and the Robert Isaacson Collection, 2020