"Washington" — Sir Michael Henry Herberg
Leslie Ward · Leslie Ward ('Spy'), Vanity Fair, 15 January 1903
Signed 'Spy' at lower left, this chromolithograph is captioned "Washington" beneath the full-length figure — a Vanity Fair convention substituting a witty sobriquet for the subject's name. Ward depicts Herberg in immaculate morning dress: double-breasted frock coat, striped trousers, waistcoat with a watch-chain, and polished black shoes, hands tucked casually into his pockets. The profile pose — a Ward hallmark — flatters the subject's upright bearing while gently exaggerating his waxed moustache and slightly prominent nose. The nickname 'Washington' signals diplomatic or transatlantic distinction, consistent with Vanity Fair's habit of honouring establishment figures with allusive titles. The plate exemplifies Ward's mature style: restrained colour, confident line, and the air of a society portrait only lightly pricked by satire.
About this artifact
- Creator
- Leslie Ward
- Date
- Leslie Ward ('Spy'), Vanity Fair, 15 January 1903
- Rights
- Public domain — free to view, share, and reuse.
- Restoration
- Digitally restored and hosted by ComicBooks.com.
Part of our mission to preserve and restore the public-domain heritage of the medium.