Although the Wilde caricature above depicts Wilde lecturing in America, it was not made contemporary with his 1882 lecture tour.
It is one of a series of twenty-three drawings made by Max Beerbohm between 1916—17, which were published in book form by Heinemann in 1922 as Rossetti and His Circle.
The title of the piece is written across the top of the image and reads:
The Name of Dante Gabriel Rossetti is Heard for the First Time in the Western States of America | Time: 1882 | Lecturer: Mr. Oscar Wilde
Halfway down the image are the words: Max 1916.
'Max' Beerbohm (1872–1956) English essayist, parodist, and caricaturist.
Oscar Wilde In America | © John Cooper, 2024
