c1920
Wood engraving, 11×10.3cm
Inscription: Lettering at top of image ‘TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO’, on portfolio carried by man ‘EX LIBRIS’ and at bottom of image ‘W. RUHR’
Edition: Wood engraving made especially for the Brangwyn Portfolio, 1927 (20), so edition of 120.
Owners: Bangor, Welsh Library (part of F759.2 160925), Brangwyn gift. Bruges (0.2/135), Brangwyn gift. Hull (P20). Koriyama, purchased 2020. Leicestershire. Port Sunlight (LL10220). Washington Library of Congress (part of N6797.B7 A3 [Case Z]).
Study: Ruhr study, 45x43cm, black ink wash heightened with white on brown paper, Prov: William Belleroche. Auctioned 18 July 1961, part Lot 74, £10 10s. Abbott and Holder. Auctioned John Goodwin, 20 June 2019, Lot 230, est £100-200.
Literature: Galloway, 1933, p37. Marechal, 1987, p278.
Illustrated: Bookplates, 1920, plate 68. Brangwyn Portfolio, 1927 (20). Marechal, 1987, p278. Old Matsukata Collection The, Kobe City Museum, 1989, p101
Exhibited: Brussels, 1937 (227). Bruges, 1987. Kobe, 1989 (B-36) Bruges loan
A top hatted man walks left to right, holding a large portfolio under his arm. Behind him a similarly clad skeletal figure appears to be opportuning the man. Behind them appear the words ‘TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO’ (three joined in one), which links to the pawn-broker’s sign depicted top left above notices for tax, rates and murder. In the foreground a beggar on his knees lifts his hat in supplication.
Marechal thinks it may refer to the Order of the Bath whose motto is ‘Tria juncta in uno’.