Lebanese-American artist and writer (1883–1931) best known for his writings on religion and for his best-selling 1923 spiritual-philosophical classic The Prophet, one of the emblematic texts of the 1960s counterculture in America. Striking original drawing by Gibran of a nude woman hoisting a small child on her shoulder, pencil and watercolor (with two related marginal pencil studies) on an off-white 5.25 x 8 sheet, initialed at the lower edge “K. G.” Accompanied by an undated [circa 1930s] ALS of provenance from Gibran’s biographer, Barbara Young, to a Mr. Isham. In part: “We are sailing May 4th … for England—then the continent and eventually Syria. The pictures will go almost intact—to Beshau. Five are to remain in the Metropolitan Museum here. I am sending you a sketch which Gibran once sent me in a letter—and was therefore … by his own hand. This is my recognition of your beautiful understanding of his work….” Also included is an early clipping (assigned a date by the previous owner of February 7, 1932) related to a posthumous exhibition of Gibran’s artwork at his former studio, likely related to the “pictures” Young refers to. The drawing and letter are framed together with a photo to an overall size of 25.25 x 16.5. In very good condition, with two horizontal mailing folds, mild toning and soiling, and a complete diagonal tear through child’s head (evidently repaired from reverse). A handsome and especially uncommon format for Gibran! RRAuction COA. Oversized.
