Phil May (1864-1903) - Cardinal John Henry Newman

Philip William May (1864-1903) was a well known Victorian portrait and caricature artist. He spent time working in Australia, Italy and Paris before returning to London in 1892. May went on to work for the St. Stephen's Review, The Graphic and most famously Punch. 
 
This side on portrait of Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890) as a poet is a delicate and beautiful depiction of the elderly Saint. It includes the inscription by the artist 'No snow falls lighter than the snow of age. Yet none falls heavier, - for it never melts.' This was a well known saying in the late Victorian period regarding age and aptly fits the portrait and may be by Newman himself.
 
Medium: brown chalk on paper, signed l.r. 'PHIL MAY 95', 23.5 x 10 cm, framed.
 
Provenance: Private Collection, U.K.
 
Condition report: the drawing is in excellent condition with a small amount of browning on the paper. The frame has a few small marks on it.