Title: Three of a Kind.
Artist: Leonard Robert Brightwell (1889-1962)
Drypoint engraving
Signed in pencil
Image size 7 x 6 7/8" (17.7 x 17.4 cm).

Leonard Robert Brightwell 'Leonard Brightwell': An outstanding British etcher and illustrator of animal subjects, Leonard Robert Brightwell studied at the Lambeth School of Art, London. Countless visits to the Zoological Gardens, however, provided his most important artistic education. Leonard Robert Brightwell became a Fellow of the Zoological Society of London in 1906 and a member of the Marine Biological Association in 1922. During the first half of the twentieth century, he was commissioned by these associations and other museums to make scientific drawings of various forms of life, including extinct animals. Leonard Robert Brightwell's first illustrated book (A British Dog in France) was published in 1913. During the First World War (1914-1918) he served in the British Army. After 1920 Brightwell established himself as a major illustrator and as an author. Books written and illustrated by him include, A Cartoonist among Animals (1921), On the Seashore (1934), The Zoo You Knew (1936), Neptune's Garden (1937), The Dawn of Life (1938), The Garden Naturalist (1941), The Zoo Story (1952) and Down to the Sea (1954). From approximately 1920 to 1932 L. R. Brightwell created a number of finely rendered etchings and engravings of animal life. All were published in London by James Connell & Sons in signed editions ranging from fifty to one hundred and fifty impressions. As one can see from this original engraving, they rank among the finest works of natural history art. In Leonard Robert Brightwell's engraved art, birds and monkeys held a special place. “Three of a Kind” is typical of his fine art in these categories, where the background is lightly indicated in order to focus are attention upon the humorous activities of the principle characters. It, like all his engravings, is rendered with both accuracy and affection.

Condition: Very good condition, no tearing, stains, or matte lines.