Modern British & 20th Century Art - Day 1 - 4th December 2024

Lot 670

ΦMichael Ayrton (1921-1975)

Estimate £200 - £300

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Description

ΦMichael Ayrton (1921-1975)
The Dangler, the Gasper and the Mumbler - a study for 'Tittivulus'
Signed and dated Michael Ayrton 52 (lower left) and inscribed and in Monastries[sic] & Nunneries he found men and women spoiling the/holy psalms each in a different way. Everywhere he went, he found (along top edge) and and he also found the (lower right)
Pencil
21.1 x 16.7cm

This drawing is a study for Michael Ayrton's first novel, Tittivulus (Max Reinhardt, 1953; first conceived for BBC Radio and broadcast 22 December 1952). In the published version the nuns weren't included, and mentioned only as a passing reference, making this work a unique insight into Ayrton's early thoughts.

We are grateful to Dr Justine Hopkins for her assistance cataloguing the present work.