Hanhart Fairy Circa 1905

This appears to be watercolor highlighted in oil and appears, from the dress to be from circa 1905. It is a wonderful example of late 19th or, more likely, early 20th Century British illustration.

The artist is almost certainly M. Hanhart, now best known for his illustrations of Fiji costumes during the HMS Challenger expedition of 1873-76, which are still being reproduced and appear to be popular prints and posters.

On the back of the drawing is a label from the Langdon Gallery in London. Robert L. Plunkett acquired it from Elliott Mittler who acquired it at a Christie’s auction before 1982. Mittler believed it to be by Michael Hanhart who died about 20 years before the fashion worn by this fairy and who was best known as a printer and may not have been an artist at all.