Cartoon & Satirical

R. S. Sherriffs (1906-1960)

R. S. Sherriffs (1906-1960)

Robert Stewart Sherriffs was born in Arbroath, Scotland. He attended Edinburgh College of Art where he studied heraldic design along with fine art. Just before turning 21, Sherriffs moved to London.
He found work in advertising studios, however grew tiered of the tedious nature of the work so he began sending examples of caricatures to magazines. He got his break when the weekly tabloid magazine, Bystander, published his caricature of actor John Barrymore (yep, Drew Barrymore’s granddad). The illustration caught the eye of Beverley Nichols, who commissioned Sherriffs to produce a series of portraits for his column in The Sketch.

This exposure led to further work in magazines including Theatre World, Pall Mall, and The Strand Magazine. He also regularly contributed to The Radio Times and later on Punch magazine. Sherriffs also illustrated a number of books, including The Life and Death of Tamburlaine the Great, and Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. The former was commended by one of Sherriffs important influences, Edmund Dulac.

There was a sad turn of events in Sherriffs’ career. He had intended to bring together a collection of his personal drawings for an exhibition. However, after being diagnosed with cancer, he set fire to many of his works prior to being admitted to hospital. Sherriffs died at the age of 54.

I was introduced to R. S. Sherriffs by the current exhibition at The Cartoon Museum, Age of Glamour: R. S. Sherriffs’ Stars of Stage and Screen. There were various pieces including portraits, set and costume designs. Throughout the whole exhibition I had my jaw wide open. Sherriffs is a master. His control of the brush is some of the best I have had the pleasure of seeing first hand. His lines perfectly sweep thin to thick. His tones are one flat colour. Throughout the exhibition I can not remember seeing any cover-ups or mistakes. The first thing I wanted to do when I left the exhibition was buy a big book full of his work, but alas, no such luck. The closest thing published of a body of Sherriffs’ work is Sherriffs at the Cinema, which solely concentrates on his famous caricatures.

I feel some of his previous printed material do not do his illustrations justice. The last book of his work was published in the 1980s. Sherriffs’ work desperately demands a more comprehensive bounded book to be fully appreciated. (ahem, publishers please take note.)

You can find more information on R. S. Sherriffs on the National Portrait Gallery, Chris Beetles Gallery, and the British Cartoon Archive websites.

Age of Glamour is on until 24th December 2013, and if you can, I definitely advise you to check it out.

R. S. Sherriffs (1906-1960)
R. S. Sherriffs (1906-1960)
R. S. Sherriffs (1906-1960)
R. S. Sherriffs (1906-1960)

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Discussion
  1. James Sherriffs

    I’ve just discovered you website and much appreciate your admiration for my late father’s work, particularly your suggestion of a more comprehensive collection of his work. Whilst I still have many of his originals, the bulk of his surviving work lingers at The Chris Beetles Gallery. His work is not much seen these days which I think is a huge pity because his draughtsmanship was quite extraordinary to say nothing of his ability capture a likeness with the minimum of line. Thanks once again.

    1. Hi James, thank you for your comment. I love your father’s work and my copy of ‘at the Cinema’ lives on my desk. His artwork has so many strength that absolutely deserves a comprehensive collection. Please let me know if it ever does happen.

    2. Zvonko Trbuha

      Hello!
      70 years ago, a translation of the book “Captain Boldheart” was published in the former Yugoslavia. I am from the former Yugoslavia, when the book came out I was 6 years old.
      My favorite picture book because of your dad’s illustrations!
      At the time, I still believed that everything in the book was pure truth …
      I loved this book also because my mother gave it to me when I came back from the children’s hospital …
      It got lost over the years, I searched everywhere for it and finally found it over the internet in one bookstore in the USA! “I gave it to myself” for my 62nd birthday!
      Best regards
      Zvonko Trbuha

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