If you're looking for caricatures from the 19th century, you can't miss "Ape". Behind the pseudonym (Ape = Italian for bee) is the Italian artist Carlo Pellegrini. He came from a noble family that had connections to the Italian Medici - the influential Italian dynasty of Florence. This also led to Pellegrini meeting Albert Edward, later King Edward VII, at a young age. Such prominent contacts also ensured that the Italian eventually moved to London, where he was accepted into the circles of Victorian high society as an artist.
There he met the most diverse well-known and prominent personalities. Among them was Gibson Bowles, the founder of the British Vanity Fair. The first issue of Vanity Fair was published in London in 1868. The subtitle of the paper was "A Weekly Show of Political, Social and Literary Wares". The aim of the paper, founded by Thommy Bowles, was to expose scandals in society in addition to articles on fashion, current events, art, literature and theater. Bowles recognized Pellegrini's talent. He was a unique cartoonist. For this, the people he portrayed did not have to sit for long as models for him. Generally, it was enough for him to observe his "victim" for a few days. He memorized their poses and facial expressions and sketched excellent likenesses with only the mental image in mind. Bowles then commissioned him to draw a caricature of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. The chromolithograph, soon published there, was immediately successful and established Pellegrini's reputation both at home and abroad. His second portrait of William Gladstone, appeared just a week later. Every issue of Vanity Fair from then on featured a large color, original lithographic portrait of a political or contemporary figure. One of the most famous is that of British writer Thomas Carlyle. Caricatures were made in the magazine with wit, but also in a good-natured and gentle manner. This even became known as "Vanity Fair Style".
Ape quickly became one of Vanity Fair's most sought-after artists, along with Sir Leslie Ward ("Spy"). He continued to refine his already elegant style. His bohemian personality also made him famous. Quite an artist, he appeared extravagant, lived out his homosexuality and was somewhat eccentric. At the same time he never lost his strong Italian accent. A colorful bird in the strict Victorian society. He became friends with many of the most important artists of the 19th century. Among them were James McNeill Whistler and Edgar Degas, who even painted a portrait to commemorate their friendship. Pellegrini drew for Vanity Fair until his death.
If you're looking for caricatures from the 19th century, you can't miss "Ape". Behind the pseudonym (Ape = Italian for bee) is the Italian artist Carlo Pellegrini. He came from a noble family that had connections to the Italian Medici - the influential Italian dynasty of Florence. This also led to Pellegrini meeting Albert Edward, later King Edward VII, at a young age. Such prominent contacts also ensured that the Italian eventually moved to London, where he was accepted into the circles of Victorian high society as an artist.
There he met the most diverse well-known and prominent personalities. Among them was Gibson Bowles, the founder of the British Vanity Fair. The first issue of Vanity Fair was published in London in 1868. The subtitle of the paper was "A Weekly Show of Political, Social and Literary Wares". The aim of the paper, founded by Thommy Bowles, was to expose scandals in society in addition to articles on fashion, current events, art, literature and theater. Bowles recognized Pellegrini's talent. He was a unique cartoonist. For this, the people he portrayed did not have to sit for long as models for him. Generally, it was enough for him to observe his "victim" for a few days. He memorized their poses and facial expressions and sketched excellent likenesses with only the mental image in mind. Bowles then commissioned him to draw a caricature of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. The chromolithograph, soon published there, was immediately successful and established Pellegrini's reputation both at home and abroad. His second portrait of William Gladstone, appeared just a week later. Every issue of Vanity Fair from then on featured a large color, original lithographic portrait of a political or contemporary figure. One of the most famous is that of British writer Thomas Carlyle. Caricatures were made in the magazine with wit, but also in a good-natured and gentle manner. This even became known as "Vanity Fair Style".
Ape quickly became one of Vanity Fair's most sought-after artists, along with Sir Leslie Ward ("Spy"). He continued to refine his already elegant style. His bohemian personality also made him famous. Quite an artist, he appeared extravagant, lived out his homosexuality and was somewhat eccentric. At the same time he never lost his strong Italian accent. A colorful bird in the strict Victorian society. He became friends with many of the most important artists of the 19th century. Among them were James McNeill Whistler and Edgar Degas, who even painted a portrait to commemorate their friendship. Pellegrini drew for Vanity Fair until his death.
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