Bidspirit auction | Bernard Partridge (1861-1945)

Bernard Partridge (1861-1945) - A Clean Sweep, 1915. Bernard Partridge (1861-1945) | United Kingdom A Clean Sweep , 1915 Ink on Paper Signed: Signed lower left “Bernard Partridge”. Dimensions: Framed: 46 × 53 cm | 18.1 × 20.9 in Artwork: 28 × 34.5 cm | 11 × 13.6 in Provenance: Family Collection, Spain: Part of a distinguished private collection of artworks and antiques. Acquired from a gallery or at auction in Cape Town, South Africa, between 1991 and 1995 to furnish a local residence. The collection was subsequently relocated to Spain following the family’s departure from South Africa. Condition: Good vintage condition; paper shows slight age-related toning characteristic of early 20th-century newsprint illustrations; professionally framed and glazed. Conditions of Sale: All lots are sold as is. See Section 4 of our Terms and Conditions for return policy. All inquiries must be made prior to bidding, as no further details can be provided after the sale. By placing a bid, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms and Conditions in full. Shipping: Aurora & Athena does not provide in-house shipping. The successful buyer arranges shipping directly with a company of their choice. For shipments outside the EU, Spanish export tax may apply to certain higher-value artworks; no export tax applies within the EU. Any such tax is payable by the buyer. Please refer to our Shipping & Export Information page for further details. -- This original pen-and-ink drawing is a masterclass in political satire by Sir Bernard Partridge, the chief cartoonist for the legendary British magazine Punch. Created in 1915 during the height of the First World War, “A Clean Sweep” is a powerful allegorical work. Partridge was renowned for his dignified, classically influenced style, which he used to bolster national morale and provide sharp commentary on the geopolitical landscape of the era. The work features his signature crisp linework and sophisticated cross-hatching, techniques that allowed for high-quality reproduction in print while maintaining the textural depth of the original drawing. Partridge’s cartoons from this period are considered definitive visual records of the British home front and military sentiment during the Great War.