Du Maurier Speeches to be lived down 1889 {1892} NGV DR]

Du Maurier, George Louis (1834-96; French/English)
Speeches to be lived down, if possible 1889
Pen & ink
Purchased 1892 (advice of Bernard Hall)
National Gallery of Victoria (p.432.3-1)

This drawing and Du Maurier A Connoisseur 1891 {1892} NGV [DR], both made for Punch, were chosen by Hall from the 1892 Anglo-Australian Exhibition, Melbourne.

Inscriptions below the image (which is signed at lower right) provide the date, and the accompanying Punch dialogue: ‘Digby: “I had hoped for the pleasure of taking you down to supper, Mrs Masham!” / Rigby: “Too late, dear fellow, it’s the early bird that catches the worm!”‘ (the lady apparently had nothing to add to this brilliant repartee).

Refs.

AR 1892, p.23; SB, p.432 (June 1892); NGV 1894, p.52 (II.Stawell Gallery, no.55); NGV 1905, p.60 (II.Stawell Gallery, no.84; ill.) [£15/15]