Disquietude (Portrait of Mrs. Martin Hardie) 1914 |
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Original drypoint.
Signed and numbered in ink.
Ref: Hardie 156
S 205 x 254 mm; P & I 128 x 152 mm
SOLD
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Excellent signed proof impression, the fresh drypoint burr printing a rich velvety black. James McBey printed only 12 numbered proofs of the finished state of this plate for normal publication and retained 12 lettered proofs for himself and for distribution to immediate friends - this outstanding impression, lettered 'K', is one of the 12 proofs retained by the artist himself.
Disquietude is a portrait of the wife of Martin Hardie, the artist and printmaker who wrote the leading catalogue on the prints of James McBey, the creator of this drypoint portrait. Aside from his considerable output as an etcher and watercolourist, Martin Hardie was an important writer and cataloguer on the prints of the British Etching Revival, producing the leading catalogues on the works of Sir Frank Short, James McBey and others.
Drawn by James McBey on the plate in 1914 around the time of the outbreak of the First World War, Martin Hardie (the sitter's husband) remarks in his catalogue "The shadow of war lies across this plate" - hence its title.
On antique laid paper, with full margins and deckle edge. Some erased pencil inscriptions in outer margins. Very fine condition. Image surface excellent. |
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