Mr. Pecksniff from Martin Chuzzlewit – Dickens Character Lithograph by Kyd, 1889
€ 160
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1889
Sheet size
25.4 × 18.4 cm (10.0 × 7.2 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BGCL-001-18
Condition
Original chromolithograph printed on lightly aged cream wove paper. A few scattered small spots (minor foxing) mostly in the margins. Image area remains clean, colors fresh and well-preserved. No tears or creases. A fine example of late Victorian.
About this sheet
Mr. Pecksniff from Martin Chuzzlewit – Dickens Character Lithograph by Kyd, c.1889 This richly colored chromolithograph depicts the character Mr. Seth Pecksniff from Martin Chuzzlewit (1843–44), one of Charles Dickens’s most scathing portraits of hypocrisy and moral pretension. The print was illustrated by Joseph Clayton Clarke, known by the pseudonym “Kyd,” and published circa 1889 by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of their celebrated series of Dickens character studies.
Mr. Pecksniff is a self-proclaimed architect and moral philosopher, famously sanctimonious and insufferably pompous. He presents himself as the embodiment of virtue and benevolence, yet is exposed as thoroughly self-serving and manipulative. Dickens’s satirical genius shines in this character, who has since become synonymous with canting hypocrisy.
Kyd captures Pecksniff’s inflated sense of self perfectly—his smug expression, hand resting theatrically on his heart, and affected posture are all rendered in precise, expressive detail. Dressed in formal black, with exaggerated features and posture, this portrait leans into caricature while still preserving recognizable humanity, a hallmark of Kyd’s artistic style.
The background is softly shaded in washes of ochre and blue-grey, enhancing the theatrical presence of the figure. These prints were widely admired for their wit, color, and character insight, and remain highly collectible today, both as individual artworks and as part of complete Dickens series.
Condition report: Original chromolithograph printed on lightly aged cream wove paper. A few scattered small spots (minor foxing) mostly in the margins. Image area remains clean, colors fresh and well-preserved. No tears or creases. A fine example of late Victorian literary illustration.
Framing tips: To complement the dark tones of the character’s clothing and to enhance the vintage appeal, consider a classic dark wood frame—such as walnut or ebonized oak—with a neutral or soft ivory mat. This combination will lend formality while drawing focus to the character’s lively expression and posture.
Technique: Chromolithograph Artist: Joseph Clayton Clarke (“Kyd”) Publisher: Raphael Tuck & Sons, London, Paris & New York Date: Circa 1889 Sheet size: approximately 36.5 x 26.5 cm Image size: approximately 27 x 18 cm
