George Varian (British American, 1865-1923), He Did Not Quite Dare to Shoot the Representative of President Grant

Lot Details & Additional Photographs

Ink wash and gouache on paper, 1908, unsigned, inscribed "St. N. Varian" and "Famous Indian Chiefs" to verso, with copyright stamps for The Century Co. of New York, hinged mount and framed under glass.

Sight size 22 x 17 in.; Frame dimensions 28 1/2 x 23 1/2 in.

This is an original story illustration for "Famous Indian Chiefs" for St. Nicholas, published April 1908, Vol. XXXV, No. 6, p. 516.

George Varian was born in England and studied art at the Brooklyn Art Guild and the Art Students' League of New York. He was commissioned by McClure's to visit St. Pierre at the time of its destruction in the eruption of Mont Pelee, where he was one of the first three men to reach the top of the mountain and the edge of the crater. He was a member of the Art, Salmagundi and the Logan Clubs. In 1907 he exhibited some of his studies at the Paris Salon. He was a brother of Henry Varian of the World. (obituary from The New York Times, April 13, 1923)

Toning and minor spotting to the sheet.