Original Ink Sketch 'The opening of the Exhibition' by A.S. Boyd 1900

[The Graphic] BOYD, A.S. – Original ink sketch: “The Opening of the Artists’ War Fund Exhibition”
(Guildhall, 1900).
 
Pen and ink on card, signed lower right, image c. 300 × 330 mm; verso with preparatory pencil sketch, inscribed in ink “3 cols Immediate” and dated in blue stamp “23 Jan 00”. Some light soiling and handling wear, else very good.
 
An accomplished ink sketch by A.S. Boyd for The Graphic, showing the distinguished guests at the opening of the Artists’ War Fund Exhibition, Guildhall, London, January 1900. The exhibition was organised at the height of the Boer War to raise funds for soldiers’ families and the war effort, with works donated by leading British artists. Boyd depicts the balcony scene, carefully labelling key figures in pen: Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lorne (the Queen’s daughter); Lord Lorne (later 9th Duke of Argyll); the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress; Sir Edward Poynter (President of the Royal Academy); Sheriff Bevan; and the celebrated painter Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. The pencil sketch on the reverse shows early compositional work for the scene.