Berlin Wall

Ronald Searle's drawings of the  Berlin Wall feature in a new exhibition on the Architecture of War at the Imperial War museum, London.  I believe Searle bore witness to both the construction of the wall and the destruction.

'Die Mauer 3 - Berlin (Berlin Wall) Near the Potsdamer Platz', 7 Oct 61

Within a short distance of the Potsdamer Platz, VOPOS patrol a double barrier of stone and barbed wire. Along this strip of no-mans-land an armoured car stands with guns at the ready. Stockpiles of teargas were at hand for the VOPOS.

'Die Mauer 2 - Berlin (Berlin Wall) East German Volkspolizei', 7 October 1961

Corner of Harzer Strasse. This VOPO guard, annoyed at being under observation, threatened to throw tear gas but was restrained by a West German policeman.

 'Die Mauer 6 - Berlin (Berlin Wall) Waving to relatives in the Eastern Zone' 8 October 1961

 The drawings were published as a reportage spread in Punch magazine

A more humourous observation of the Wall was later drawn for LOOK magazine

"The Rise of New Nationalism in Germany" December 14, 1965
Reprinted in 'From Frozen North to Filthy Lucre'. New York: Viking Press, 1964, Page 59

"Note that Searle has labelled Berlin twice, to make certain we can "read" the gag and perhaps also to show the two faces of Berlin, that of Communist propaganda and that of harsh reality. This was published roughly just after the closing of the New York World's Fair in October of 1965, so the idea of the American international fairground was still quite relevant. The Berlin Wall had been erected in 1961." - Stephen Nadler at Attempted Bloggery

'East Berlin' 1963

'Kaiserlautern'

Searle depicts 'kontrolle' guards yelling in vain at Beethoven in the pre 1990 German capital Bonn.

'Buxtehude' 

(a town where the dogs bark with their tails- apparently!)

© Ronald Searle 1961, by kind permission of the artist and The Sayle Literary Agency

Searle In America fundraiser auction is LIVE!

Calling all Searle fans and cartoon & animation art collectors. The auction is launched! Over 70 cartoonists and animation artists from around the globe have contributed incredible hand-crafted artwork inspired by Ronald Searle's artwork.
Let's make a Ronald Searle retrospective exhibition happen in San Francisco!
To view and bid on the artwork go to the Cartoon Art Museum's eBay shop right here

Searle exhibition in Tourtour

A small exhibition opened this week in Searle's adopted village Tourtour, haute Var, France.  It focuses on his lithography ouvre featuring 12 prints.

The English Sporting prints

In the early 70s Searle produced a series of lithographs on the theme of English country 'sport'- specifically fox-hunting. But in Searle's version the fox always gets the upper hand.

The original sketch for 'Full Cry' (the prints obviously came out mirrored) 1975

Searle worked with his usual printing collaborator Michel Cassé in Paris.  Over the years various 'test' proofs found their way onto the art market and now fetch several hundred euros/dollars/pounds.

'Sporting Print. Uncorrected color lithographic proof on wove paper, 1970s. Published by Michel Cassé for Editions RS, Paris. Regular edition 99. “Specimen” stamp in image. Light creases. Titled and annotated “First uncorrected Colour Rough” in red ink. 19-1/2 x 25-1/2 inches.'

'Sporting Print. Color lithographic proof on wove paper, 1970s. Published by Michel Cassé for Editions RS, Paris. Regular edition 99. “Specimen” stamp in image. '

 The original sketch for 'The Kill' (later reversed after printing) 1975

The original sketch for 'The Stirrup Cup'  (later reversed after printing) 1971

Searle In America Exhibition Update

My fund raising drive to bring a Searle exhibition to San Francisco received some good exposure this week on the animation community's favourite website Cartoon Brew.

The article has all the relevant info and a gallery of some of the artwork contributions I've received so far. I'm aiming to launch the eBay auction around  late July so if you'd like to see Searle in California or bid on some drawings by today's top animation artists stay tuned.

I put my own contribution, both the final painting and the rough, on my personal blog here-it features a character that should be familiar to Searle fans.

Here's the link to the 'Searle In America' dedicated blog

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