Original watercolour of The Royal Aquarium Westminster

£650 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

A wonderfully dynamic spread for one of the illustrated magazines of the late 19th century, featuring acrobats, an illusionist, and a high dive act into water. C. J. Staniland was a leading social realist painter of the late 19th century. His work was featured regularly in both The Graphic and The Illustrated London News. A note on the verso in pencil indicates where he offered it and presumably where it was published, “Graphic 6883 Monday 10am”. Annie Luker performed a groundbreaking high dive on the 20 January 1894 - it is likely this cartoon was drawn to commemorate that event. It was one of the first times such a feat was performed by a woman. It cemented her reputation as a leading aquatic performer, secured her a pay raise and added her to the permanent roster of stars at the Royal Aquarium, where she continued performer until its closure in 1903. Some marking and thumb-soiling, particularly to verso, otherwise in very good condition.

• Year: 1894

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