Shannon Stirnweis (American, B. 1931) "Sherlock Holmes" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. From the pen of author Arthur Conan Doyle came one of the most well-known and beloved characters in English fiction -- detective Sherlock Holmes. Introduced in the 1887 mystery A Study in Scarlet, this eccentric investigator, together with his loyal sidekick Dr. Watson, quickly captured public attention. Holmes' followers were so devoted to the brilliant detective, they clamored for his resurrection after Doyle had devised Holmes' death in the 1893 publication of The Final Problem. Eight years later, the beleaguered writer bowed to his readers' demands, bringing Holmes back to life to unravel a new series of challenging mysteries. Known for his amazing powers of deduction, this master sleuth took on a persona inspired by the methods and mannerisms of Doyle's former teacher, Dr. Joseph Bell of the University of Edinburgh. Interestingly, Doyle was himself originally a physician, and practiced medicine until 1891 -- well after finding success as an author. Equally fascinating is the fact that Doyle was knighted in 1902, not for his brilliant writing but for his work in a field hospital in South Africa during the Boer War. Doyle died July 7, 1930, in Crowborough, Sussex, England. Image Size: 28.75 x 22.75 in. Overall Size: 31.75 x 25.75 in. Unframed. (B14641)