Sheila Girdwood

Very good artist’s proof impression with excellent clarity.

This highly stylised etching by Sheila Girdwood appears to illustrate a scene from an unknown contemporary narrative. The influence of William Strang’s disturbing etched illustrations to the works of Rudyard Kipling is clearly evidenced in the strangely suspended animation of this unusual image.

Sheila Girdwood exhibited her distinctive etchings and aquatints under both her maiden name, Girdwood, and her married name, Mrs. S. Connelly, contributing to London’s Royal Academy exhibition in 1937. She lived at 5 Sidney Avenue, London, N.13 during the thirties but all record of her whereabouts disappears with the outbreak of World War II. Original prints by Sheila Girdwood are now very rare indeed as it seems that her prints were not issued in published editions – she did not sign any of her proof impressions, all of which appear to have been printed for her personal satisfaction, without commercial intent.

On heavy wove ‘proofing’ paper with full margins and deckle edge. Very good original condition.