FLOR - BELMONTE / PAPIER A CIGARETTES. Maquette. 1912.
30x22 1/4 inches, 76 1/4x56 1/2 cm. Condition B: tears at edges; extensive creases and abrasions in margins and image; small pin holes in corners; pencil notations and stamp on verso. Hand-signed and dated by the artist in pencil. Painted on thick paper.
This is a maquette for a 1913 French poster (see Swann Sale 2336, Lot 24) by British artist Hicks. Prior to the 21st century, little was known about this artist, however a large collection of his wartime posters were brought into the public eye in recent years. In addition to his designs for British theatre posters and children's books, Hicks also collaborated with Charles Shepherd on a British Rail series for the British Empire Exhibition in the 1920s. During World War II, he was employed by the Ministry of Labour, to tackle subjects of absenteeism and workplace issues. This poster for French cigarette paper seems to be a divergence from his usual attributions, however his signature is a match.
