George Du Maurier

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George Du Maurier
1834-1896
A Delicate Question
Pen and brown ink, over graphite pencil, on wove paper.
10 x 14 inches (254 x 354 mm)
Gift of Mrs. Walter H. Page.
1980.28
Notes: 

Watermark: none.
Drawing for a cartoon for Punch, 1886, v. 91, p. 294.

Inscription: 

Signed at lower right, in pen and brown ink, "du Maurier"; and inscribed by the artist below, "a Delicate Question / Monsieur le Comte:'and now, Madame, zat you'ave so kindly instruct me on ze interesting / 'istory of ze'OUSE, dare I permit myself to ask, how far does your propriety extend?' / G. du Maurier / Hampstead / Dec.86".
Inscribed at upper edge of sheet in pencil, "M le Baron - and now, Madame, zat you'ave kindly instruct me on ze interesting history of our 'ouse, dare I permit myself to ask, how / far does you propriety extend?"
The first inscription also copied by the artist on a separate pasteboard strip accompanying the drawing, at the end of which signed, "George di Maurier" (no location or date).

Provenance: 
Jane Morgan Nichols (Mrs. George Nichols); her daughter, Jane N. Nichols Page (Mrs. Walter H. Page).
Associated names: 

Nichols, Jane Norton Morgan, 1893-1981, former owner.
Page, Jane N. Nichols, former owner.

Bibliography: 

Ryskamp, Charles, ed. Nineteenth Report to the Fellows of the Pierpont Morgan Library, 1978-1980. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1981, p. 187.

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