Athur Rackham 'The Valiant Tailor' - Less 20%

John Fillmore

This is a 18" x 13" Original and Vintage watercolor on board by the very important English painter and illustrator Arthur Rackham, 1867-1939. The image is of 'The Valiant Tailor' facing the giant. This watercolor was painted in 1908, the year before the final version (photo) that was printed in the storybook with the 'Valiant Tailor' story (photo). Signed in the watercolor at lower left and dated 1908. Labeled on back by the Knoedler Gallery in New York, taken from the backing paper on the previous frame. At the top on the back is the title in pencil. Fine condition with some foxing and age toning on the back not appearing to come through to the front. 

There are numerous differences between this 1908 version and the final 1909 one. The Tailor's head is bigger, the giant's feet are spread farther apart and head is tilted, the cloud formations are different as are the mountains and the ground. The squeezed drops from the Tailor's hands are reversed in the later version, and the signature is in a different box. This has a decorated border unlike the final.

$6,500.00

Artwork details