Les Derniers Survivants (The Last Survivors)

Jean Routier

"Les Derniers Survivants" (The Last Survivors) is an ink and watercolor painting on paper done in 1947 by French illustrator Jean Routier (1884-1953). The image and paper measures 8 x 6-1/2". The drawing is done a a heavy cream wove paper and is signed, dated, titled in the image, lower left in brown pigment, and inscribed by the artist within the image. Each subject is identified in black ink and it is further annotated in black ink: "tres sympathiquement /a S.Ex le General Dimitri d Osnobichine / Le 13 Avril 1947. Tour de Paques Russe." (very sympathetically / to H.Ex General Dimitri d Osnobichine / April 13, 1947. Russian Easter Tour.) This work is from the estate of one of the subjects, Polish born artist General Dimitri d Osnobichine.

A group of 16 portraits by 20th century French artist/illustrator Jean Routier, from a San Francisco estate which included many items related to General Dimitri d'Osnobichine (1869-1956), who was also an artist.

It depicts d'Osnobichine greeting: J.P. Besson-Dandrieux (impersonating General Maréchal Canrobert); gastronome Curnonski (1872-1956); illustrator Pierre V. Robiquet (1879-1951); painter Henri Robert Blot (1881-1948); painter Henri Callot (1875-1956); illustrator/metalsmith Pierre Falize (1876-1953); illustrator Guy Arnoux (1890-1951); Jean (Joë) Hamman (1883-1974), an illustrator that also worked as a cowboy and actor in the U.S.; painter Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scevola (1871-1950); painter Pierre Prunier (1875-?); illustrator Joseph P. Pinchon (1871-1953); the artist, Jean Routier, and critic André Warnod (1885-1960). The General's son Nicolas d'Obachine and his wife are depicted.

This appears to be a memorial reception, perhaps for the General's wife since Routier offers his sympathies.