Belisario Ramon Francisco Contreras y Chavez
Ink and graphite on wove sketchbook paper.
The sheet folded twice vertically, likely to fit in a breast pocket. Torn top left sheet corner. Overall nevertheless in very fine condition.
This depicts the artist Belisario Ramon Contreras Jr. who like Williams also enlisted during World War II. A very similar photograph exists, but an annotation seems to suggest that this drawing was nonetheless drawn from life in Luxembourg in 1944. We have not found any of the artist's work despite the fact that he was highly regarded by his peers while deployed and despite the fact that Brown University was supposedly given some of his work.
Signed, titled, dated, and located “Luxembourg” in pencil at upper right corner. Also bearing a DC address on the verso.
We add trial proofs of a first, second, and a final state of the etching, on a variety of papers. The early states annotated, the first profusely, showing the artist's method. The final state is pencil signed.
Plate size (each): 7 ⅞ x 9 ⅞ inches.
Provenance: Estate of William Greenbaum, Gloucester, Massachusetts, a true gentleman-dealer who ran "William Greenbaum Fine Prints" for many years.
