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Bernard Perlin — Portrait of William Somerset Maugham
Bernard Perlin — Portrait of William Somerset Maugham
Bernard Perlin — Portrait of William Somerset Maugham
Bernard Perlin — Portrait of William Somerset Maugham
Bernard Perlin

Portrait of William Somerset Maugham

1946

This ink portrait depicts an elderly man seated in a wingback chair, rendered in Bernard Perlin's characteristic linear style. The subject, shown in three quarter view, wears casual clothing and holds a folded newspaper, his weathered face marked by deep lines and a penetrating gaze. Executed with confident crosshatching and expressive line work, the drawing captures both physical presence and psychological depth, exemplifying the portraiture traditions of mid twentieth century American figurative art. The warm cream paper serves as an active ground, its subtle tone contrasting with the dark ink to create spatial dimensionality. The work demonstrates Perlin's mastery of character study through economical but highly individualized formal means.

Medium
ink on paper
Overall

Notes

A Ménage with George Platt Lynes, Rago Auctions, 2026-05-01. Lot 190. Signed, titled and dated to lower edge 'W.

🔨 Auction Lot

A Ménage with George Platt Lynes

May 1, 2026

Estimate: $800$1,200

Sold: $1,152

Lot 190

For Sale

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About this work

Bernard Perlin, Portrait of William Somerset Maugham, 1946

This ink portrait depicts an elderly man seated in a wingback chair, rendered in Bernard Perlin's characteristic linear style. The subject, shown in three quarter view, wears casual clothing and holds a folded newspaper, his weathered face marked by deep lines and a penetrating gaze. Executed with confident crosshatching and expressive line work, the drawing captures both physical presence and psychological depth, exemplifying the portraiture traditions of mid twentieth century American figurative art. The warm cream paper serves as an active ground, its subtle tone contrasting with the dark ink to create spatial dimensionality. The work demonstrates Perlin's mastery of character study through economical but highly individualized formal means.

Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
overall: 32.4 x 24.8 cm
Year
1946
Seen at
Rago Auctions, Lambertville, United States

Related themes

Seated Figure, Character Study, Mid Century Modern, Interior Scene, Literary Figure, Crosshatched Line, Newspaper Reading, Male Portrait, Cream Paper, Figurative Art, Ink On Paper, Elderly Subject, American Art, Psychological Realism, Expressive Portraiture, Portrait Drawing, Tonal Drawing, Portrait Study, Expressionist Drawing, Academic Realism, Modernist Draftsmanship

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