Herbert Dicksee Pair Rare Miniature Etchings Lion and Tigress

A Rare Pair of Miniature Etchings by Herbert Dicksee 'His Majesty' and 'Tigress' a couple of his very early etchings, these are from a rare set of three one being a dog. Framed to museum quality.

"His Majesty" (miniature), etching on vellum, 1889, signed by the artist. In Frame Height 40.5 cm and Width 37.5 cm . Image only 7.5 cm by 7.5 cm

"A Tigress" (miniature), etching on vellum, 1889, signed by the artist. In Frame Height 40.5 cm and Width 37.5 cm . Image only 7.5 cm by 7.5 cm

Herbert Thomas Dicksee (14 June 1862 – 20 February 1942) was a British artist renowned for his lifelike animal pictures of domestic dogs and his main passion of lions, tigers and other big cats. His paintings were usually done from life and frequently took trips to London Zoo to sketch the big cats for ideas for his pictures. One of the greatest wild animal artist of his generation, Herbert Dicksee became an expert in the observation of the character and behaviour of his animal subjects, in particular the power and majesty of lions, tigers and other big cats. He was one of the first generations to create images of rampant lions and powerful tigers in such a realistic and awe- inspiring style. 

Dicksee belonged to an illustrious artistic family he attended Slade School of Fine Art, London, where he studied under Alphonse Legros, another distinguished etcher. There, he would obtain a scholarship and earn several medals. At this time the school was still in its early years, having only been established in 1871.When Dicksee died in 1942 the executor of his will (his daughter Dorothy) was directed to destroy most of the plates used for his etchings.