Rackell, Portrait of George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), 1938. Pastel on board, author age eighty-two. Graphic Arts Collection GA2009- in process
Coming up this winter is an exhibition of author portraits. Included will be this pastel caricature of the Irish playwright G. B. Shaw, created in 1938 by an artist using the pseudonym Rackell. Who is Rackell? This name does not turn up in any of the standard art history sources, or in Shaw biographies. Surely someone out there knows someone who can give us some information on this artist or the making of this drawing?
During the 1930s, Shaw published several full-length plays including Too True to Be Good (1931), On the Rocks (1933), The Millionairess (1935), and Geneva (1938). 1938 is also the year Shaw received an Oscar for his screen adaptation of Pygmalion. This portrait may have been one of the many tributes Shaw received due to the critical success of that film.
Sincere thanks if you would forward this post to anyone who might help with our research.
