Eileen Alice Soper

Very fine signed proof impression. One of only ten signed proofs in the final state, prior to the only published edition. The published edition of 124 unsigned impressions was issued by H.C. Dickins in 1921.

The Three Wees was Eileen Alice Soper’s first etching, originally executed at the age of thirteen, but not issued until after her first major public exhibition. The model for this etching was a friend named Elaine who appears in a number of Eileen Soper’s etchings. The subject was derived from one of E.A.Soper’s earliest known drawings – a small pencil sketch of a little boy holding a candle, surprised by the appearance of an equally astonished elf; her father (the etcher George Soper) had painted Eileen’s portrait in watercolour surrounded by just such elves.

This etching was released as a direct result of her father’s, successful submission of two of her etchings to the Royal Academy of Arts summer exhibition in 1921. As soon as it became apparent that the etcher of these works was a girl of only sixteen Eileen Soper attracted considerable attention and her future success was assured.

This signed proof impression must be distinguished from the inferior unsigned impressions of this etching which exist.

On cream laid paper with full margins and deckle edge. Evidence of previous tape at extreme edges of sheet, otherwise very good original condition.