Sir Leslie Ward

Dr Robert Spicer, Vanity Fair medical portrait chromolithograph, 1902

1902

'New York Tribune' Chromolithograph. 1902. Vanity Fair portrait of Whitelaw Reid who was a US politician and newspaper editor. 395mm by 265mm (sheet)

'Popular Astronomy' Vanity Fair portrait of Irish astronomer Sir Robert Stawell Ball (1840-1913). In 1867 he became Professor of Applied Mathema...

'Ape' Vanity Fair portrait of Carlo Pellegrini (1839-1889), nicknamed 'Ape', who was an artist who served from 1869 to 1889 as a caricaturist for Va...

'Corney Grain' Chromolithograph. 1885. Vanity Fair portrait of Corney Grain (1844-1895) playing the piano. Corney Grain was a British barrister turned actor, entertainer, and music...

Image dimensions: 31.5 x 18.8 cm. Mr. Chauncey M. Depew is a beautiful chromolithograph on paper, realized by the illustrator Spy for Vanity Fair newspaper, issue of October 26th 1889, and published by Vincent Brooks, day and Son. This is the authentic print, representing a portrait of the President of the New York central Road and Hudson River railroad , Mr. Depew, (1834-1928). Signed on plate on lower right margin with the artist name of Spy. This original print is referred to as "Spy Cartoons...

Victorian Political Portrait – Vanity Fair “A Liberal Whip” Spy Cartoon 1883 This original Vanity Fair chromolithograph titled “A Liberal Whip” was published on October 13, 1883 an...

Vanity Fair color chromolithograph caricature of Rev. Edgar Sheppard "A Great Marrier" by Spy (Leslie Ward) March 14, 1904 from the "Clergymen" series....

Distinguished Victorian Gentleman – Vanity Fair “White Dal” Spy Portrait 1883 Description: This original Vanity Fair chromolithograph titled “White Dal” was published on September 22, 1883 and drawn by the celebrated Vanity Fair artist Leslie Ward, who worked under the famous pseudonym “Spy.” The portrait depicts Sir William Dalrymple, a notable British figure whose distinguished appearance and social standing made him an ideal subject for Vanity Fair’s celebrated series of satirical portraits. Ward portrays Dalrymple standing in profile with a composed and slightly formal posture. He is dressed in the refined attire typical of a well-established Victorian gentleman: a tailored frock coat, waistcoat with watch chain, crisp high-collared shirt, and neatly tied bow tie. His distinctive white side-whiskers—likely the inspiration behind the nickname “White Dal”—are rendered with careful detail, adding personality to the portrait while maintaining the elegant restraint characteristic of Leslie Ward’s work. During the late nineteenth century, Vanity Fair magazine became widely known for its weekly caricatures of prominent public figures. These portraits depicted politicians, aristocrats, military officers, artists, sportsmen, and influential members of society. While humorous in tone, the images were often respectful portrayals that captured both the physical likeness and social character of their subjects. Leslie Ward’s contributions to Vanity Fair are among the most admired within the series. His ability to combine gentle satire with refined portraiture allowed him to create images that were both entertaining and historically informative. Today these portraits serve as a visual record of the personalities who shaped Victorian public life. The print was produced using chromolithography and printed by the renowned London firm Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, one of the leading color printers of the period. Their high-quality printing techniques allowed for subtle tonal variations and soft shading, which remain visible in the delicate rendering of the clothing and facial features. Vanity Fair portraits such as this have become highly collectible decorative works, admired for their historical character, distinctive style, and elegant Victorian aesthetic. They continue to appeal to collectors of British political history as well as interior designers seeking refined nineteenth-century portrait prints. Condition: Very good condition with light age toning and occasional minor foxing consistent with age. Margins remain generous and colors well preserved. Framing tips: This portrait displays beautifully in a dark walnut or ebonized frame with an ivory or warm cream museum mat. A generous mat border enhances the elegant vertical format and complements the soft Victorian color palette. Technique: Chromolithograph Maker: Leslie Ward (“Spy”), printed by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, London, 1883 Keywords: Vanity Fair print, White Dal Vanity Fair, Spy caricature, Leslie Ward Spy, Victorian gentleman portrait, Vanity Fair chromolithograph, British society portrait, 1883 Vanity Fair print, Victorian caricature print, antique gentleman portrait...