Herbert Dicksee Fabulous Pair of Etching's Lion & Lioness

Fabulous pair of etching's by Herbert Dicksee of a "Study of a Lion", original etching on vellum, 1915, signed artist's proof, limited edition of 150 and "Study of a Lioness", etching on paper, 1914, signed artist's proof, limited edition of 100. Both framed to museum quality. Study of the Lion - Signed. Signed by the engraver below the image and annotated by him in pencil on the recto'Study of Lion'; initialled in the image 'H D' and lettered 'Frost & Reed Ltd. Bristol & London, 1915'. Study of Lioness - Signed. Signed by the engraver below the image; annotated by him in pencil on the recto'Study of Lioness'; initialled in the image 'H D' and lettered 'Frost & Reed Ltd. Bristol & London, 1914'. 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.