Ink on paper, newly framed. Featuring a cartoon alligator. Signed and attributed to Saul Steinberg (American, 1914-1999) on the upper right corner. 18 x 20 cm (7.1 x 7.9 inches). Frame size: 32.5 x 35.5 cm (12.8 x 14.0 inches). Saul Steinberg was a Romanian cartoonist and illustrator best known for his iconic contributions to The New Yorker magazine. Steinberg’s drawing style is characterized by a playful, childlike-doodle quality while also maintaining an elegant deftness that succinctly described a wide range of subjects. His quirky, sharply observed sketches, at times reminiscent of Dada art, also crossed over into the fine arts world. Along with Arshile Gorky and Robert Motherwell, Steinberg exhibited work at in the landmark “Fourteen Americans†show at The Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1948 and at the Betty Parsons Gallery, which was then at the center of the Abstract Expressionist movement. Born on June 15, 1914 in Râmnicu Sarat, Romania, Steinberg went on to study philosophy at the University of Bucharest but opted not to finish his degree, instead enrolling as an architecture student at the Politecnico di Milano in Milan. Steinberg fled Italy in 1941 with the rise of the anti-Semitic policies, eventually settling in the United States where the artist went on to create over 1,200 drawings for The New Yorker, including 87 covers. Steinberg died on May 12, 1999 in New York, NY.  PROVENANCE: Southern Ontario estate.

All lots that do not carry established documented provenance nor any past record of auction history record are described in the catalog as attributed .

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.