Lot 219: STEINBECK, JOHN (1902-1968, American novelist)

PORTRAIT BY BO BESKOW (1906-1989), signed with an undeciphered graph (similar to 'H'), and then 'B.', pen and ink drawing, 'caricature', half-length, seated, holding a glass and an arrow pointing into it with the caption 'Orange juice' above, inscribed, dated and signed by the artist 'John Steinbeck Copenhagen Dec. 8. 1962 (?graph) 'B.', framed and glazed, 11½ x 8 inches (29 x 20 cm), overall size 17¼ x 13¼ inches (47 x 34 cm), Copenhagen, 8 December 1962

This drawing was in Steinbeck's own possession. It represents him the night before his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize for Literature, hence the caption suggesting that he was avoiding alcohol. He was met at the airport, stayed and went to dinner the night before the ceremony with his great friend the Swedish artist Bo Beskow at his studio home in Copenhagen, Denmark. Beskow was invited to attend the ceremony at the Academy. Independent examples of Beskow's handwriting make it clear that he is the artist.