John Austen 1886-1948. British School 20th.Century. Pen And Ink Drawing "Aphrodite With A Broken Arrow" Signed lower left. 23 by 20 cms. Circa.1930.
Greatly influenced by the works of Aubrey Beardsley, Austen was a prominent illustrator of great wit, he produced wonderfully decorative images, the essence of the Art Deco and Jazz Age.
The image of Aphrodite breaking an arrow relates to her punishment of her son Cupid (the God of Love and desire) for the misuse of his arrows in the reckless pursuit of misguided love.