Who painted The Ilyssus!?

The Ilyssus! was painted by George Du Maurier in 1880.

Where can I see The Ilyssus!?

The Ilyssus! is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Ilyssus!?

The Ilyssus! is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Ilyssus!?

Museum-quality prints of The Ilyssus! are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Ilyssus!

George Du Maurier , 1880

The Ilyssus! is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist George Du Maurier. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:below image in brown ink: The Ilyssus! / (or something like it); lower left in brown ink: small cut / to come under 1/2 [?] / in the place indicated / in the legend; center of right margin in brown ink: CHM / on Wednesday / at 1. P.M; sideways along right margin in graphite: [?] aware that this is a smoking compartment- / well aware of that but, Sir - and being (the rest not deciphered); by other hand, upper right in graphite: 147; by other hand, upper left in graphite: Reduce this to / 3/4 in width

About this work

Overview

Created in 1880, The Ilyssus! is a pen-and-brown‑ink drawing on wove paper by George du Maurier. Executed over a graphite underdrawing, the work combines ink lines with occasional scratching‑out marks, revealing the artist’s process as he refined the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a plump cat reclined on its back, paws outstretched, and crowned with a small, askew top hat. A crumpled piece of cloth lies nearby, while the cat’s tail curls loosely. The whimsical juxtaposition of a dignified accessory on an ordinary animal suggests a playful commentary on pretension.

Technique & Style

Du Maurier employed pen and brown ink to build form through varied line weight and dense cross‑hatching, creating areas of shadow and texture. The underlying graphite sketch is partially visible, and deliberate scratching‑out indicates revisions, offering insight into the artist’s iterative method.

History & Provenance

The drawing was produced in the late Victorian period, a time when du Maurier was active as an illustrator and cartoonist. The work bears marginal notes such as “Reduce width 3/4 in” and the title “The Ilyssus!”, hinting at its use as a preparatory study for a larger illustration or publication.

Context

During the 1880s du Maurier contributed to periodicals like Punch, often employing humor and satire. The feline figure, rendered with exaggerated proportions and a tiny hat, aligns with his characteristic wit, reflecting contemporary Victorian fascination with anthropomorphic animal motifs.

Legacy

Although not a finished illustration, The Ilyssus! provides valuable insight into du Maurier’s creative process and his approach to integrating humor into visual art. The piece is referenced in studies of Victorian illustration for its illustrative technique and its role in the artist’s broader body of work.