Charles Maurice Detmold

Etched jointly by Charles Maurice & Edward Julius Detmold.

Excellent impression printed with plate tone – a proof aside from the published edition, either printed by both brothers while Charles Maurice Detmold was still alive, or printed under the supervision of Edward Julius Detmold during the early 1920’s for the Sloane Gallery. Signed by E.J. Detmold and initialled '.M.D.' in pencil - these initials may have been written by Maurice Detmold himself or may have been written on his behalf by E.J. Detmold.

This brilliant etching was the product of an unique collaboration. At the age of fourteen the twin brothers Charles Maurice and Edward Julius Detmold had been introduced to etching, and by the age of sixteen, both had achieved an astonishing mastery of this printmaking process. In 1899 they began an extraordinary collaboration in which both brothers would work together in the production of a single plate. The impressive harmony and finish of their remarkable joint works is evidence of the uncanny unity of minds of these twins.

Only 10 etchings were produced by the twins in this joint manner and exceptionally few impressions of these were printed at the time, for the artists’ personal interests alone. In 1900 they began a custom, which lasted only four years, of producing towards Christmas-time a joint etching for presentation to their friends. Eagle is the most elaborate and undoubtedly the most decorative of these four etchings.

In early 1906, the brothers completed their last joint etching and two years later, in a fit of deep depression, Charles Maurice Detmold committed suicide by inhaling chloroform at the age of only 24.

On smooth simile Japan paper, with margins. Mild tone at mat window edge, otherwise very fine original condition.