SIR LESLIE WARD “SPY” (1851–1922) - MR REUBEN SASSOON

MR REUBEN SASSOON
Original Vanity Fair Chromolithograph — 20 September 1890
Men of the Day No. 483
“Mr Reuben Sassoon”
Reuben David Sassoon
“Spy” — Sir Leslie Ward
Artwork Details
Subject: Reuben David Sassoon (1835–1905)
Title/Caption: Mr Reuben Sassoon
Series: Men of the Day
Publication: Vanity Fair
Publication date: 20 September 1890
Medium: Colour chromolithograph
Image: approximately 19 × 31 cm
Mount: approximately 46 × 32 cm
Presentation: Mounted as shown

An original late-Victorian Vanity Fair caricature depicting the prominent Anglo-Indian businessman and society figure Reuben David Sassoon (1835–1905).

Drawn by celebrated caricaturist Sir Leslie Matthew Ward (1851–1922) under his famous pseudonym “Spy”, the portrait was published in Vanity Fair on 20 September 1890 under the caption:

The original publication record identifies the portrait as Men of the Day No. 483.

Reuben Sassoon was a son of David Sassoon of Bombay and became an important figure in the family's international commercial interests.

After working within the family's Asian trading operations, he settled in Britain and became closely associated with fashionable late-Victorian society. Sotheby's records his interests in art, theatre, horse riding and cards and notes his membership of the Marlborough House set, the social circle surrounding the future King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales.

His position within this circle is also documented in contemporary and later historical sources. The Vanity Fair portrait shows Sassoon formally dressed and holding opera glasses, an image reflecting his position within London's fashionable society.

Sir Leslie Ward became one of Vanity Fair's most celebrated caricaturists.

Working under the name “Spy”, Ward produced hundreds of portraits of politicians, businessmen, aristocrats, sportsmen and other prominent personalities.

The original watercolour portraits were translated into chromolithographs for publication in Vanity Fair.

Artist: Sir Leslie Matthew Ward (1851–1922), known as “Spy”