403. MAX BEERBOHM (1872-1956). CONVALESCENCE OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS.

Signed, inscribed with title, pen and black ink with brown and grey washes
20 x 31.5cm.

* Beerbohm often caricatured Edward VII, for whom he showed no admiration. In 1923, a suite of eight Beerbohm drawings of the late King was shown at The Leicester Galleries in London. The press showed its loyalty to the monarchy and was harsh in its condemnation of Beerbohm's mordant tone. To pacify Royal sentiment, the drawings were removed from display and some were acquired by the Royal Family. But many images of the King by Beerbohm remained in circulation from other sources. This subject shows the monarch resting a gouty foot and drinking Bovril (a favourite beverage of his since its invention in 1886). It lacks much sense of evident empathy for the King's painful condition.