‡Jacob Kramer (1892-1962)

‡Jacob Kramer (1892-1962) Mother and Child, 1922 signed, dated and inscribed in crayon 'To Sir Michael Sadler from Jacob Kramer' watercolour 40cm x 28.5cm. Sir Michael Sadler was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds between 1911-1923 and he became one of the leading figures promoting modern art in Britain between the two world wars. During his tenure at Leeds, Sadler became President of the avant-garde Leeds Arts Club, which was an important meeting group for radical artists, writers and thinkers. Sadler promoted a number of young avant-garde artists, in particular Kramer, whom he gave helpful advice encouragement and financial help. Kramer stated 'I had become a student at the Slade School, a step which I might not have taken but for Sir Michael Sadler's interest in me'. Sadler was collecting Kramer from around 1912 when the artist was only 20, and Kramer was also making gifts to him as here. Of their relationship, it was said 'If Kramer was to be Leed's Giotto, was Sadler its Medici?'