Kabarett!

In 1969 Searle published a book of sketches made on location in the strip-shows and cabarets of the St Pauli district of Hamburg.
The French edition had a much more eye-catching cover.  The artwork was originally a cover for HOLIDAY magazine that was rejected until Ronald replaced the prostitute with a 'sex tourist' !

'The Holiday management could not accept a street-walker , however bored, on their cover, and requested a change, which Searle effected by substituting a naive tourist.  A line running down the 'Striptease' poster from the first 'A' in Kabarett shows the left-hand edge of the cut Searle made to lift out the figure of the prostitute, which was subsequently replaced in his original.' - Russell Davies

The 1968 drawings accompanied an article on 'Wicked Cities of the World' by George Feifer. They are broader and must have been created in the studio whereas the 'Secret Sketchbook' was made on location in the clubs.

These images are photographs of the original drawings.

 Similar to the 'Rake's Progress' we see the hapless 'tourist' succumb to alcohol and the charms of the dancers

Searle was acquainted with French cartoonist Bosc who very much admired a drawing in Searle's 'Secret Sketchbook'.  They agreed to trade drawings but Searle was reluctant to dismantle his sketchbook and sent Bosc an original fille with this note.

"Very soon a strong friendship is born between them due to a mutual admiration:

On 3 November 1969, Bosc replied: " It is with great pleasure that I send you one of my drawing. few days will appear in an album of me at Albin Michel. Tell me what are the designs that you like and I'll make one - preferably not too complicated ... For the price this is a million (old) drawing, or if you prefer you send me one of your girls Hamburg instead. Though stripped of preference ... Believe me it will be the place of honor in my room. Very friendly, Bosc.

November 6, 1969 , a week after their first, Ronald Searle sent to Bosc "Daughters of Hamburg" with this message: "Daughters of Hamburg is a sketchbook and I can not tear the pages, but I hope sketch (made according to this book) please.

On 12 November 1969, Bosc replied: " I just received the beautiful drawing gives me great desire to spend a weekend in Hamburg. Thanks again. Especially do not buy my album, I'll send you a copy as soon that I will have received what I hope will be soon. soon, very friendly to you.

On 26 November 1969, "We have received I Love You so kindly autographed, are you willing to drawing without captions on pages 72-73? This is a drawing that has hit us all and we have two the desire to see it on our walls.

December 17, 1969 "Dear Friend, THANK YOU! thank you for the very nice drawing and dedication. My wife and I are happy with our" BOSC "and thank you very much for your kindness ..."

This is from a copy of the book dedicated to Carmen and Michel Cassé who were Ronald's printer of choice for his lithographs.

In Germany the St Pauli drawings were published along with Searle's series of sketches depicting Toulous Lautrec frolicking with his favourite ladies.

Read more on  Toulouse Lautrec and the whores of Hamburg

Searle's Artistic Heroes

Searle himself has been inspired by a wide array of artists, cartoonist and caricaturists. Searle's own private collection of art contains works by Caracci, Cruickshank, Grosz, Gillray,

There are a handful of key artists and cartoonists whose influence can be detected in his work.
Searle certainly owes a debt to contemporaries such as Andre Francois, Sempe and of course Saul Steinberg.

'Homage au Steinberg'

Through his 50s imprint Perpetua Searle published an academic volume on Toulouse Lautrec and later an illustrated hommage to the short statured ladies man.

In 1977 Searle made a series of studies after Watteau for a medallion design he was working on for the French Mint.

Perhaps Searle's greatest idol is of course Picasso.  He made a couple of Punch covers in a Picasso-esque style and even a series of portraits of Picasso in the style of other modern masters.

Punch 29th June 1960

Photographs of the originals in the Searle Archive, Hanover

Portrait of Picasso in the style of Henry Moore

Portrait of Picasso in the style of Graham Sutherland

Portrait of Picasso in the style of Augustus John

Portrait of Picasso in the style of John Bratby

Punch 24th October 1956

Searle seemed to take great delight in working in a Picasso-like fashion. Punch valued Searle's contribution such that it wouldn't surprise me if it was his idea to make these hommages to the greatest living painter of the time.

A Picasso-esque interpretation of John Everett Millais' 'The Boyhood of Raleigh'

Sir Edwin Landseer's 'Monarch of The Glen' 

Franz Hals' 'Laughing Cavalier'

Ever versatile Searle emulates Francis Bacon and L. S. Lowry for a Punch satirical 'Arts Takeover'

Riffing on Frans Hals' 'The Anatomy Lesson' for the 1955 Punch Almanack's 'Christmas Cards: An Advance Selection II'

'It was Christmas Day in the Workhouse' in the style of Graham Sutherland for the 1955 Punch Almanack

In this illustration for TV Guide again we see Searle using Picasso's motifs, in this case elements of 'Guernica'


See also Stephen Nadler's article on a 'triplicate' cartoon from The New Yorker featuring Searle