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Catalogue information
LastDodo number
5286271
Area
Drawings / paintings
Title
Lift Off
Artist
Art object
Art Movement / style
Genre
Theme
Material
Technique used
Colouring
Dimensions
45.5 x 28 cm
Series / hero
Collection / set
Number
Addition to number
Year
1965
Country
Language
Details
Original editorial cartoon on board in pen/brush and ink, craftint, dated 7 December 1965, published in the Worcester Telegram, shows the French President Charles De Gaulle emerging from a rocket lift-off looking rather pensive. On 5 December the first round of the presidential election took place and De Gaulle did not win an outright majority. On 26 November France had launched its first space satellite ‘Asterix-1', being only the third country in the World to do so after the Soviet Union and the USA, and this had been a major boost to De Gaulle’s popularity ratings. Perhaps he is looking a little bewildered because he did not win in the first round; two weeks later he won the second round and was elected for a second term. At top left is a dedication which reads "For Steve-with every wish for a swift solution of the re-entry problem, Draper 5/1/66", together with a small figure wearing an ‘idealization’ halo. At upper right is written "Worcester Telegram 7 xii 1965". On verso is glued a rough pencil drawing of the cartoon and a red label with printing instructions. Board size 45.5 x 28 cm (18 x 11 inch), image size 41 x 24 cm, Signed lower left. Light staining around the title bottom centre, overall good condition.
