A wonderfully characterful original caricature by British artist Amies Milner, signed and dated 1933.

Worked on a small sheet of paper, the portrait shows a gentleman in profile, his delicately observed head and features set above an exaggerated dark-suited figure with wonderfully diminutive feet. The restrained palette and extraordinary proportions are typical of Milner's distinctive caricature style.

Milner was active during the 1920s and 1930s and is known particularly for his caricatures of military officers, jockeys, schoolteachers and other contemporary sitters. Examples of his original work are held in museum collections, including the Australian War Memorial and the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.

Perhaps the loveliest detail is found on the reverse, where an old handwritten inscription reads:

“Caricature of our Herbert. His face is just the same.”

A later pencil annotation appears to identify the sitter as Herbert, with the names Brookes? and Mitchell also noted, although his full identity has not been established.

The work is signed Amies Milner and dated 1933 lower right. Close examination shows fine individual working throughout the hair, facial details and shaded areas, together with variations within the dark areas of the clothing.

A charming and very personal survival from the 1930s, with the inscription on the reverse giving a tantalising glimpse of the man behind the caricature.

Date: 1933
Artist: Amies Milner
Medium: Mixed drawing media on paper
Condition: Antique condition with age-related marks, toning and signs of handling. Please study all photographs as these form part of the description.
Provenance: Handwritten period inscription to reverse referring to the sitter as “our Herbert”, together with a later pencil identification.

Sold unframed.