Girl with a Black Hat 1901 |
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Original etching.
Signed in pencil.
Campbell Dodgson 38 iii/iii
S 204 x 165 mm; P & I 90 x 76 mm
SOLD
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Original Augustus John etching.
Excellent impression printed with considerable plate tone and signed by John with his full signature, “Augustus E. John”. From the only published edition of 25 signed proofs, as issued by Knewstub in 1906.
Etched whilst in Liverpool, this searching portrait of the artist’s wife is the most highly finished of Augustus John’s very first etchings from the year 1901. Ida was also the model for her husband’s most elaborate portrait etching of the following year, Lady with a Necklace. Her untimely death in 1907 brought a pause in Augustus John’s etched work which, when resumed, never again reflected the subtle sensitivity of these meticulous early etchings.
The most famous Welsh artist of the 20th century, Augustus John took to etching with the gifted talent of a natural printmaker – his etching technique emerging fully fledged within the space of the single year in which this plate was created. A superb example of Augustus John’s female portrait etchings, Girl with a Black Hat was etched without commercial intent, as were all of Augustus John’s early plates. This etching was not published in a formal edition until issued by Knewstub through his Chenil Gallery in 1906, when this proof was printed. The plate was cancelled immediately after this edition had been printed.
On pale cream laid paper, watermarked VGL, with margins. Very fine condition. Image surface excellent. |
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