RITA SKEETER

Preliminary Study for Chapter 18, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (1999)
Mary GrandPré (American, b. 1954)
Pencil on parchment tracing paper
Signed lower right: Mary GrandPré
17 cm x 17 cm
£6,500 (excl. VAT)

This original preliminary pencil sketch was created by Mary GrandPré in 1999 as she prepared the chapter title artwork for Chapter 18 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, titled The Weighing of the Wands. The finished artwork appears as the official chapter heading in the published book.

Chapter 18 sees Harry, now the fourth Triwizard Champion, attending the ceremonial weighing of the wands, where Mr. Ollivander inspects the champions’ wands to ensure they are fit for the challenges ahead. Following this tense event, Harry is confronted by Rita Skeeter, the notorious Daily Prophet reporter infamous for her sensationalist stories and less-than-truthful portrayals of Harry and his friends.

This sketch is Mary GrandPré’s first visual interpretation of Rita Skeeter, capturing her signature Quick-Quotes Quill poised and ready to record, as she begins to develop the character’s distinctive look based on J.K. Rowling’s vivid description.

Condition & Provenance
The artwork is in excellent condition, with minor wear and small wrinkles consistent with the artist’s creative process. It has been professionally preserved and mounted on museum-quality board with protective mats and covers.

Catalogue Reference: Houston & GrandPré C(5)