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Kenneth Steel

1906 - 1970

Durham by Kenneth Steel
 

Durham   1935

  Original line engraving and drypoint.
Signed in pencil.
Ref: Yardley 32
S 358 x 448 mm; P & I 304 x 356 mm
SOLD
 
Original Kenneth Steel line engraving and drypoint.

Excellent, rich impression of this masterly plate. Strong and beautifully inked signed proof impression from the only published edition of 60 impressions issued by James Connell & Sons in 1935.

Edward Yardley describes this drypoint as “the tour de force of his (Kenneth Steel’s) engraved work” and notes that “It sold out within twenty days of publication” (Kenneth Steel, Catalogue Raisonné of Prints…, p.26). Yardley also chose the preliminary watercolour for this drypoint as the front cover of his leading catalogue on the printed works of Kenneth Steel (published Sheffield, 2020).

Kenneth Steel described the gestation of this engraving from the final conté crayon drawing, through various progress proofs to the final state, in his book entitled Line Engraving (Pitman & Sons Ltd., 1938).

Kenneth Steel selected an impression of this striking work as his exhibition piece at the R.B.A. in 1935.

On cream wove Millbourn paper with margins. Slight surface defects in water towards base of image; some minor time stain in lower margin and verso, otherwise very good original condition.