Peter Arno would occasionally intersperse a few more serious drawings among the brilliant cartoons in his published collections. One can't imagine they ever got anywhere near the reception that his gag cartoons did, but he no doubt was seeking some sort of artistic validation. One such drawing is Mother's Little Helper which appeared in his 1949 book Sizzling Platter. The execution is somewhat gritty and the title is evidently meant ironically. The influence of Georges Rouault is apparent.
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| Peter Arno's signature |
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| The handwritten title |
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| Peter Arno Clarke Auction Gallery listing accessed December 2, 2023 |
Lot 80 was indeed sold, but not for all that much. Bidding reached just one half the low estimate.
The sober artwork is reproduced in Peter Arno's Sizzling Platter (1949) on page 70 opposite a buoyant circus drawing.
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| Mother's Little Helper Circus Lady Peter Arno's Sizzling Platter, pp. 70-71 |
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