George Belcher was born in London and studied at Gloucester School of Art. He contributed drawings regularly to Punch from 1911, and also to Vanity Fair and The Tatler. He also etched portrait caricatures, sometimes combined with coloured aquatint. His most celebrated works are those depicting personalities of the National Sporting Club. His effects were achieved by veracity and authenticity as he invariably drew from life.

Further reading:

Kenneth Guichard, British Etchers 1850-1940, Robin Garton, London 1977
An exhibition of Comic Drawings by George Belcher R.A. 1875-1947, Langton Gallery, 1986

 

Glossary

  • Aquatint

    An intaglio printmaking process and a method of achieving tone by etching a plate covered with resin dust. The acid corrodes the unprotected metal leaving only the surface protected by a speck of dust. When inked the plate will print a tone of black through to very pale grey depending on the length of time it was immersed in the acid. Its name derives from the finished print resembling a watercolour, and is a tonal rather than a linear work.