Sir Frank Brangwyn, RA RWS RBA (British, 1867–1956). Sermon in the Synagogue, circa 1900–1910. Brush and brown ink over pencil, brown wash, white wash, signed with initials in the lower right corner, on thin wove paper, 173 x 150 mm (6 3/4 x 5 7/8 in), laid onto paper support with small etched figure verso, trimmed, probably by Brangwyn, the sheet with some losses, rough edges, tears and handling creases. Framed: 12 1/2 x 11 1/4 in.

Brangwyn's ink-and-wash study for his drypoint etching, Sermon in the Synagogue. Brangwyn was a prolific artist, accomplished in a wide variety of media but honored especially for his prints and murals. Much lauded for his artistic achievements, in 1919 he would become the first president of the Society of Graphic Art.

Brangwyn, Study in the Synagogue, Ben Uri Collection 

Brangwyn's work addressed a wide range of subjects, and though Judaic themes are uncommon in his work, this is not a unique example. He published several engravings of Jewish life in the first decade of the twentieth century. In 1930 Brangwyn llustrated a deluxe edition of L'ombre de la croix by Jerome and Jean Tharaud, a "roman Juif" depicting life in the shtetl of Belz, Poland, and in 1931 produced a suite of 57 etchings titled Judische Themen. The present work represents a rare example of the artist's preparatory process for producing the prints for which he was so widely celebrated.

Provenance 
Inscribed 'FAS' and numbered '102' on paper support; Forum Auctions, November 19, 2020, lot 446; Justin G. Schiller collection.

Reference (for published etching)

Walter Schwabe and Julia Weiner, eds., Jewish Artists: the Ben Uri Collection - Paintings, Drawings, Prints and Sculpture (London: Ben Uri Art Society in association with Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd, 1994), p. 118.

Plaque at Temple Lodge, 51 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6