Edward Cucuel (1875 San Francisco - 1954 Pasadena) "Hors D'Oeuvre (Chez Fouquet)". Original title Humorous, satirical scene in the famous Brassier restaurant Fouquet's in Paris with an elderly couple at a table, to whom a young, elegant lady laughs over from the next table and congratulates the gentleman with a biting comment: "Happy birthday - Wilhelm!!! The Trio". The sheet illustrating a revealing affair is a late reminiscence of his artistic beginnings. Cucuel came to Paris to study art at the age of 17. There, and from 1899 also in Berlin, he continued the career he had already begun in the USA as a freelance illustrator, working for magazines such as "Le Figaro", "L'Illustration", "The Illustrated London News", "Illustrierte Zeitung", "Moderne Kunst" etc.; in 1907 he moved to Munich, where he also became successful as a painter, joining the artists' group "Die Scholle" and Leo Putz. He exhibited at the Glaspalast and the Munich Secession, and in 1915 he was awarded a silver medal at the World Exhibition in San Francisco. Cucuel returned to the USA in 1939. Watercolour, gouache, white heightening and pencil/paper. Signed lower right; l. u. dat. "Oct.1.(19)49". 23.5 cm x 17 cm (mat opening). Frame. Watercolour, gouache, whitening and pencil on paper. Signed, inscribed and dated "Oct.1(19)49".