Austin Osman Spare

Drawing from Ugly Ecstasy
Pencil on paper 16inches by 12inches This drawing dates to c.1924 and are part of the series titled the Book of Ugly Ecstasy. It is initialled and was reproduced in the Fulgur Press book of that title in published in 1996. Despite the high quality of Fulgur production the originals have a subtlty not found in reproduction and certainly not present in the electronic images presented here. These are some of Spares most enigmatic, challenging and finely drawn work. It dates from the same year that Anathema of Zos was written and perhaps demonstrates a refusal to make the tame and decorative images which would have secured him a niche in the artistic establishment The symbolism of this work is extraordinarily sexual. A grotesque armless demon displays her fanny whilst an air dragon throttles her with his tail. Meanwhile a bodyless unicorn figure spews over a walrus like old man and a hideous spermazoa cavorts in the background. The faces are exquisitely drawn. £1500 SOLD

. Portrait
Pastel and watercolour on board, varnished. Initialed by Spare and dated 1950 One of a series which Spare made of the working folk around who lived around him. These items showed Spare's compassion and philanthropy. Earlier in life he had been feted by the artistic establishment and moved in elite circles, later in life he found himself in modest circumstances and with great care recorded the lines, countenance and dignity of the faces around him. The frame may be original 15ins x 12ins £650 SOLD