2 Signed Mid 20th C. Garth Williams Minotaur Drawings
**First Time At Auction**
Garth Montgomery Williams (American, 1912-1996), two drawings of a slayed Minotaur, ca. mid 20th century CE. All signed G.B. on lower right. Each one of these drawings depicts the infamous Minotaur as he is being slayed by Theseus in order to liberate the Athenians - a radical departure for Williams who is best known for his classic children's book illustrations in E.B. White's "Stuart Little" and "Charlotte's Web" and Laura Ingall's Wilder's "The Little House on the Prairie". These two drawings, however, present the antithesis of such sweet storytime subjects. Instead, one is privilege to Williams' raw creative process and his exploration of intense drama inspired by the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Size: each drawing measures 8.5" W x 11" H (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm)
In the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, the Athenians were required to send young men and women as offerings to King Minos of Knossos where they would be sacrificed to the raging Minotaur in the Labyrinth. Theseus traveled to Knossos on Crete and slayed the Minotaur in order to free the Athenians. It is this moment that Williams captures so graphically - a remarkable counterpart to the picture presented by his New York Times obituary which reads in part, "With the precision of Durer but with his own sense of innocence and wonderment, Mr. Williams created a world of storybook characters. Although the books were written by a diverse range of authors, the drawings all had Mr. Williams's impeccable, heartwarming touch." (https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/10/arts/garth-williams-book-illustrator-dies-at-84.html)
Provenance: private Arlington, Virginia, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#140374
Condition Report: Normal toning to paper commensurate with age. Each drawing is signed on lower right. Minute tears to edges of sheets that do not interfere with the imagery.
View it on
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
**First Time At Auction**
Garth Montgomery Williams (American, 1912-1996), two drawings of a slayed Minotaur, ca. mid 20th century CE. All signed G.B. on lower right. Each one of these drawings depicts the infamous Minotaur as he is being slayed by Theseus in order to liberate the Athenians - a radical departure for Williams who is best known for his classic children's book illustrations in E.B. White's "Stuart Little" and "Charlotte's Web" and Laura Ingall's Wilder's "The Little House on the Prairie". These two drawings, however, present the antithesis of such sweet storytime subjects. Instead, one is privilege to Williams' raw creative process and his exploration of intense drama inspired by the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Size: each drawing measures 8.5" W x 11" H (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm)
In the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, the Athenians were required to send young men and women as offerings to King Minos of Knossos where they would be sacrificed to the raging Minotaur in the Labyrinth. Theseus traveled to Knossos on Crete and slayed the Minotaur in order to free the Athenians. It is this moment that Williams captures so graphically - a remarkable counterpart to the picture presented by his New York Times obituary which reads in part, "With the precision of Durer but with his own sense of innocence and wonderment, Mr. Williams created a world of storybook characters. Although the books were written by a diverse range of authors, the drawings all had Mr. Williams's impeccable, heartwarming touch." (https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/10/arts/garth-williams-book-illustrator-dies-at-84.html)
Provenance: private Arlington, Virginia, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#140374
Condition Report: Normal toning to paper commensurate with age. Each drawing is signed on lower right. Minute tears to edges of sheets that do not interfere with the imagery.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
