Artwork

Original drawing for illustration to 'Bad and Worthless' published in the English Illustrated Magazine

Original drawing for illustration to 'Bad and Worthless' published in the English Illustrated Magazine is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Hammond. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The drawing was produced as an illustration for the short story titled “Bad and Worthless,” authored by the Hon.

About this work

Overview

The drawing was produced as an illustration for the short story titled “Bad and Worthless,” authored by the Hon. Mrs. Arthur Henniker. It appeared in the English Illustrated Magazine, volume XI, issue 676, in the year 1894. The work functions as a narrative accompaniment, translating a literary scene into a visual composition.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts three figures in an outdoor setting. A gentleman in a suit and hat occupies the central position, extending a gesture toward a woman in a long dress and hat who holds a shawl at his right. To the left, a second man lies on the ground, looking upward at the pair, suggesting a moment of interaction or tension within the story’s context.

Technique & Style

Executed in a loose, expressive drawing style, the piece features visible contour lines and varied shading to model form. A broad range of tonal values creates a sense of depth, while the energetic line work conveys movement, giving the impression that the figures could step beyond the picture plane. The background consists of a simple landscape with trees and a fence rendered in minimal detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1894 for the English Illustrated Magazine, the drawing served its original purpose as an illustration for the published narrative. Its association with the periodical links it to the late‑Victorian era of illustrated journalism, a time when such visual accompaniments were common in literary magazines.